Representatives get a firsthand look at Catholic schools
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
New Jersey Catholic schools will lose valuable nursing and technology dollars if the current state budget remains unchanged. Something must be done to communicate the direct effect this will have on the students.
Enter Frances Koukotas, director for the Network of Catholic School Families for the Diocese of Trenton. In an effort to give New Jersey representatives and senators a feel for how their budget decisions affect Catholic schools, Koukotas has taken several on personal visits to Catholic schools around the Diocese of Trenton.
“It’s been very positive,” she said. “Based on how the schools reacted, they were very happy to have people there who would have a say in what happens with the budget.”
Originally she wanted to have parents of students in Catholic schools visit their representatives, but the scheduling and the volume became too cumbersome.
Instead, bringing the representatives to the schools puts them in touch with the daily operations of the schools and their students.
Beginning March 12, Koukotas went with Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D-District 15) to Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. On March 25 she accompanied Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-District 7) to Holy Cross High School, Delran.
On April 17, Senator James Beach (D-District 6) will visit Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Maple Shade; Assemblyman Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr. (R-District 13) will visit Mother Teresa Regional School, Atlantic Highlands, on April 21.
“I think that it’s very helpful when you’re asking for something, to see how the funding is being used,” Koukotas said of the funding in question. “We were grateful in FY15 that the budget was increased for nursing services, and are asking that amount be maintained for FY16 at $95.85 (per student) so that our schools can continue to provide adequate nursing care for our students. We are also happy that the Legislature in FY15 restored technology aid funding in last year’s Appropriations Act to $32 per pupil. Technology aid to nonpublic school students had been eliminated entirely in FY10 when it was $40 per pupil. We are asking that this amount be restored to $40 per student in FY16.”
“It’s different when you see the kids,” she continued. “They’re people, they have real needs and their safety is important; having technology in their classrooms is essential to a quality education.”
Koukotas emphasized the necessity of personal response to the budget shortfalls.
“It’s really important for people to contact their own assemblymen and representatives, and tell them not to cut the budget and to reinstate (the funding),” she said. “As the budget is right now, it’s been cut. We’re hoping to restore that money.”
A message may be sent through the NJCC Advocacy Network at https://www.votervoice.net/njcc/campaigns/39419/respond
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
E-Editions
Events
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
New Jersey Catholic schools will lose valuable nursing and technology dollars if the current state budget remains unchanged. Something must be done to communicate the direct effect this will have on the students.
Enter Frances Koukotas, director for the Network of Catholic School Families for the Diocese of Trenton. In an effort to give New Jersey representatives and senators a feel for how their budget decisions affect Catholic schools, Koukotas has taken several on personal visits to Catholic schools around the Diocese of Trenton.
“It’s been very positive,” she said. “Based on how the schools reacted, they were very happy to have people there who would have a say in what happens with the budget.”
Originally she wanted to have parents of students in Catholic schools visit their representatives, but the scheduling and the volume became too cumbersome.
Instead, bringing the representatives to the schools puts them in touch with the daily operations of the schools and their students.
Beginning March 12, Koukotas went with Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D-District 15) to Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. On March 25 she accompanied Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-District 7) to Holy Cross High School, Delran.
On April 17, Senator James Beach (D-District 6) will visit Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Maple Shade; Assemblyman Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr. (R-District 13) will visit Mother Teresa Regional School, Atlantic Highlands, on April 21.
“I think that it’s very helpful when you’re asking for something, to see how the funding is being used,” Koukotas said of the funding in question. “We were grateful in FY15 that the budget was increased for nursing services, and are asking that amount be maintained for FY16 at $95.85 (per student) so that our schools can continue to provide adequate nursing care for our students. We are also happy that the Legislature in FY15 restored technology aid funding in last year’s Appropriations Act to $32 per pupil. Technology aid to nonpublic school students had been eliminated entirely in FY10 when it was $40 per pupil. We are asking that this amount be restored to $40 per student in FY16.”
“It’s different when you see the kids,” she continued. “They’re people, they have real needs and their safety is important; having technology in their classrooms is essential to a quality education.”
Koukotas emphasized the necessity of personal response to the budget shortfalls.
“It’s really important for people to contact their own assemblymen and representatives, and tell them not to cut the budget and to reinstate (the funding),” she said. “As the budget is right now, it’s been cut. We’re hoping to restore that money.”
A message may be sent through the NJCC Advocacy Network at https://www.votervoice.net/njcc/campaigns/39419/respond
[[In-content Ad]]