NJ S2049

Directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a pilot program studying the feasibility of consolidating grade 9-12 limited purpose regional school districts with their constituent grade K-8 districts into K-12 all purpose regional districts

Selects three pilot sites (one each in northern, central, and southern New Jersey) consisting of a one-year Phase I planning stage, five-year Phase II implementation stage, and an Evaluation Component

Provides planning grants up to $50,000 per site during Phase I, with all feasibility study costs paid by the State; requires voter approval in each constituent municipality to proceed to Phase II

Authorizes incentive State aid during Phase II to equalize cost apportionment among municipalities and support initial regionalization costs, with aid amounts reduced annually over the five years

Appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to finance grants for the pilot sites