ASAH joined the New Jersey Coalition for Special Education Funding Reform, of which it is a member, in opposing S-610, which requires the executive county superintendents to designate a county education services agency to assist local school districts in sharing services.

Though the bill would save money and coordinate a wide range of shared services — from accounting services to evaluation services — a more critical review of the bill reveals significant problems, including the potential for higher costs to taxpayers, duplication of services, the potential for violation of IDEA, and multiple conflicts of interest. The bill also call for the county offices to coordinate special education placements, which could have the potential for seriously compromising the individualized decision-making process CSTs are required to conduct under federal law.

Click here to see the Coalition’s post on the bill, or here to read the Coalition’s testimony before the NJ Senate Education Committee.