The department readopted with amendments the Financial Accountability, Efficiency and Budgeting chapter at N.J.A.C. 6A:23A, subchapters 1-15. The department also repealed the Finance and Business Services rules at N.J.A.C. 6A:23 and recodified with amendments the rules as new subchapters 16-22 of the Financial Accountability, Efficiency and Budgeting chapter. The full set of rules at 6A:23A assure the financial accountability of local public school districts through enhanced state monitoring, oversight and authority. The regulations are necessary as the result of the passage of the School Funding Reform Act, P.L. 2007, c.260 and several fiscal accountability laws including P.L. 2007, C.53, which established school efficiency requirements, including travel restrictions, P.L. 2007, c.62, which established the tax levy cap law, and P.L. 2007, c. 63, which established the position and expanded responsibilities of the Executive County Superintendent positions. The rules are also designed to ensure that each district board of education adopts an annual budget that provides adequate resources to meet the state constitution’s mandate for a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for all children. N.J.A.C. 6A:23A, chapters 1-22 are effective December 21, 2009 through November 25, 2014.
