Monthly Archives: February 2026

A proposed $10.5 billion state school construction bond could unlock new funding for Newark Public Schools and other school districts in the state to address longstanding needs for new schools and urgent repairs. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz introduced legislation Thursday that, if approved, would ask voters in November to authorize new state bonds for school construction, expansion, and renovation projects in high-poverty districts as well as others. Read more here.

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funding for school facility upgrades has left students from one corner of the state to the other learning in outdated, crumbling buildings, some more than a century old.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.” Read more here.