Timothy Christian School is pleased to share encouraging news for private school families across New Jersey. Despite a challenging state budget season, the newly approved FY2027 New Jersey State Budget includes continued and increased funding for several programs that directly benefit non-public school students.
With non-public school funding at risk due to the state’s budget challenges, school leaders, families, advocates, and legislators from across New Jersey worked together to protect and strengthen these critical programs. Their collaborative efforts successfully secured continued support for private school students.
We are especially proud that Dr. James Smock, Head of School at Timothy Christian, served on the advocacy committee as the representative for Christian schools across New Jersey. His leadership, alongside that of many dedicated advocates, helped advance these funding priorities and ensure continued support for non-public school students.
The NJ State 2027 budget includes:
-
- $2 million increase in funding for non-public school security (totaling $32.55 million)
-
- Funding for STEM, including an additional $1.5 million to support STEM education initiatives.
-
- Sustained support for the programs our schools rely on including nursing, technology, textbooks, transportation, and special services.
What does this mean for us at Timothy Christian School?
Dr. Smock shared:
Though we have been slowly replacing the older video cameras around our campus over the past few years, this funding should allow us to complete our project! The advancements of this newer security system allow our security personnel to have encrypted, visual access to any part of our campus right on their phones. The system also has advanced features to help identify possible threats before they ever reach the doors of our buildings.
The continued support from the state for nursing, technology, textbooks, and special services helps us reduce budgetary challenges while ensuring a high-quality educational experience for our students.
We thank God and our legislative champions and resolution sponsors who brought this funding to fruition in this extraordinarily challenging budget year.