Proposed Bond Referendum: One Option to Begin Larger Conversation on School Construction Needs

TRENTON – To ensure every student and educator has access to a safe, supportive learning environment, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz introduced legislation that would renew New Jersey’s commitment to repairing and replacing aging school buildings across the state.

“This bill marks the start of a broader conversation about how we can modernize our public schools and provide students with an education that meets the demands of the 21st century. While this approach may be one path to address the issue, the need for action is clear,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). “Inadequate funding for school facility upgrades has left students from one corner of the state to the other learning in outdated, crumbling buildings, some more than a century old. Year after year, leaky roofs, faulty heating and ventilation, mold, overcrowding, and a lack of air conditioning disrupt valuable classroom time and jeopardize students’ health, safety, and academic growth. Schools dating back to the time of Abraham Lincoln lack the infrastructure necessary to support a modern-day curriculum for today’s students and educators.”

To address these urgent needs, Ruiz introduced S-3382, which would ask voters to authorize new state bonds for school construction, expansion, and renovation projects in both School Development Authority (SDA) districts and Regular Operating Districts (ROD). The School Development Authority, which was established following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Abbott v. Burke decision, oversees and fully funds approved school construction projects in New Jersey’s 31 historically underfunded districts. New Jersey’s roughly 500 traditional public districts are also eligible to apply for state-funded construction grants through the authority, where the SDA typically contributes at least 40% of construction costs.

The bill proposes $10.5 billion in new bonds to finance long-overdue school construction projects. The bill’s provisions would be presented to voters at the state’s next general election following the Governor’s signature and would take effect only upon voter approval.

Ruiz emphasized students’ constitutional right to a thorough and efficient education and noted that nine consecutive credit rating upgrades—reversing years of fiscal decline—have positioned the state to make these long-overdue investments. Moody’s Ratings now assigns New Jersey an Aa3 credit rating, citing strong financial reserves, sustained pension contributions, and a demonstrated commitment to education funding as key indicators of the state’s improved fiscal standing.

“New Jersey has a legal obligation to provide a thorough and efficient education to every student, regardless of their zip code. While the state has invested in school construction through the budget process, we have not issued new bonds since my first budget cycle in 2008, leaving an entire generation of students learning in inefficient classrooms,” Ruiz said. “We now stand at our strongest fiscal position in years, creating the ideal moment to act. Bonding offers us a responsible path forward by spreading costs to make projects more affordable, stimulating economic growth, and strengthening our education system.”

“Together, we can ensure our learning environments set the gold standard for public education: safe, modern, and fully equipped to give every student the foundation they need to succeed,” said Ruiz.

Several advocacy organizations voiced their support for the bill, noting the pressing need for school facility upgrades and the benefits it will bring to students and educators:

“This bill represents a significant investment in New Jersey’s future by addressing the critical need for modern, safe, and efficient learning environments. By authorizing $10.5 billion in new bonds—split between SDA districts and regular operating districts—the state can finally tackle the backlog of essential facility upgrades and emergent projects that have been stalled since previous funds were exhausted,” said Dr. Richard Bozza, Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. 

"We appreciate Majority Leader Ruiz's leadership in advancing this critical funding for school facility projects across New Jersey," said NJ School Boards Association Executive Director/CEO Dr. Timothy Purnell. "Our member districts—both SDA and regular operating—face real challenges with aging infrastructure, and this initiative provides the state support boards need to create safe, modern learning environments. We look forward to working with the Majority Leader, the Sherrill Administration, and our education partners to help bring this measure across the finish line for the benefit of students throughout the state."

“Education Law Center thanks Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz for her leadership in sponsoring this school facilities bond bill, which represents a major and much-needed investment in the future of New Jersey’s students. By providing funding for new school construction and renovation, this legislation moves the state closer to meeting its constitutional obligation to ensure all children learn in safe, healthy, and modern facilities. Because all funds currently available to the SDA are already earmarked for identified facilities projects, this bill represents a critical step toward addressing the State’s significant unmet school facilities needs,” said Robert Kim, Executive Director of the Education Law Center.  

"After years of inadequate funding, schools across the state, and especially in our most in need districts, are in dire need of upgrades, repairs, or to be replaced," said Debra Coyle, Executive Director of NJ Work Environment Council on behalf of the Healthy Schools Now Coalition. "We are so grateful to Majority Leader Ruiz for taking this challenge head-on by introducing bond authorization legislation to address the backlog of needed projects. Modern, healthy, and safe school facilities create better learning environments and improve student outcomes, and improve teacher retention. This is a smart public investment in New Jersey’s economic and educational future."

“New Jersey’s children deserve safe, modern schools, and this bond finally moves us toward that promise. For Latino, Black, and immigrant communities, this investment is about dignity and justice. Our students cannot wait any longer for relief from overcrowded, crumbling buildings. The Latino Action Network applauds Senator Ruiz for championing the bold action our communities urgently need to ensure every child learns in a safe, equitable environment,” said Javier Robles, President of the Latino Action Network.

“Senator Ruiz has long been a champion in the fight to provide a quality, affordable education for every New Jersey child. This legislation is an important first step in providing the investment needed to fund construction and maintenance of our state’s public school buildings and facilities. The investment required to address these fundamental needs would provide better and safer classrooms and better learning environments for our children,” said Justin Braz, Executive Director of Building Better Communities, a statewide coalition coordinating support and advocacy for school infrastructure investment across New Jersey.

Braz continued, “We also recognize that asking New Jersey families to fund this critical investment with overstretched income and property taxes is simply not an option, which is why we believe New Jersey voters should have the choice to fund future capital investments in our schools and communities with a bond referendum. We look forward to working with the legislature and the Governor on this effort in the coming weeks and months.”

"The proposed legislation that Senator Ruiz's office is submitting to address the needs of thousands of New Jersey students has the strongest support of the NAACP New Jersey Conference.  Too many young minds are being served in school facilities that are antiquated and unhealthy. In too many communities, students are in learning environments that were constructed in the 20th century. Yet they are expected to achieve high levels of academic success with substandard resources. The time for New Jersey to provide all students with the resources necessary for a 21st-century education is now," said Thomas Puryear, Education Chairperson of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference.