NJ S2049

Creates a pilot program under the Commissioner of Education to study consolidating existing grade 9-12 regional high school districts with their constituent K-8 school districts into unified K-12 regional districts in New Jersey.

Selects three pilot sites (one each in northern, central, and southern regions of the state) with participating districts required to submit joint applications approved by majority vote of each school board.

Structures the program in three phases: a one-year Phase I planning stage (extendable to two years), a five-year Phase II implementation stage requiring voter approval in each municipality, and an ongoing Evaluation Component with independent evaluators.

Provides planning grants up to $50,000 per pilot site during Phase I, with the state covering all feasibility study costs; Phase II participants receive incentive state aid that decreases annually over five years.

Appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education to finance the planning grants.