Catholic school official, high school student testify in Trenton on nursing funding
Lack of full-time state-funded nurses would have serious impacts on nonpublic schools, New Jersey lawmakers heard March 25 in testimony delivered by Catholic school representatives in Trenton.
Bonnie Milecki, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Trenton, and Patrick Collins, a junior in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, testified before the NJ Assembly Budget Committee, offering perspectives on the downstream effects of not providing nursing funding equivalent to that of public schools.
As reported by The Monitor in February, the New Jersey Catholic Conference – public policy arm for the bishops of New Jersey – issued an Action Alert urging voters to advocate for increased funding allocation to $150 per pupil.
Nursing services in nonpublic schools have been a critical program for students’ health and safety since their inception in the 1991–1992 school year. The governor’s budget for 2025-26 includes a current per-pupil rate of $130 for nursing staff – about $20 per student less than what is needed to find candidates for nursing positions who are fully equipped to administer certain medications and act as first responders in school emergencies.
Increase needed amid nursing shortage
On Feb. 25 New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy presented a $58.1 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. The state legislature is currently holding hearings and will make amendments to the budget proposal over the next several months. A final budget must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and signed by Gov. Murphy by June 30.
“When the legislation was first enacted, the funding provided was $60 per student. Since then, that amount has increased only modestly to $130 per student, despite the rising cost of healthcare services, personnel and equipment,” said Milecki, who also serves as president of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education. “This modest growth does not reflect the real and growing demands placed on school nurses or the increasing costs of providing quality care.”
The proposed increase to $150 per pupil, she continued, is necessary to meet the growing challenges of nurse shortages, R.N. requirements and emergency response training.
“Recruiting nurses for nonpublic school has become increasingly difficult,” Milecki said, “especially with many nurses opting out of school-based positions altogether.” With personnel costs also rising, having a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) on staff rather than an R.N. “would open up the pool of eligible candidates” and help to keep costs down.
Catholic high school student testifies
Collins, a parishioner of Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, with his parents Kevin and LeaEllen, graduated from St. Paul School, Princeton. A member of the Model UN, Mock Trial and ND Debate teams at NDHS, he recounted to the Assembly his personal experience benefiting from nursing services at school.
Upon experiencing shortness of breath during gym class, Collins visited his school nurse; she suspected bronchitis and recommended he see a doctor, who confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed an inhaler.
“I also have a recurring medical condition that requires me to visit the nurse’s office on a regular basis,” Collins explained. “I am fortunate that the funding for which I am entitled enabled my school to hire excellent nurses.”
He pointed out that not all schools in the Diocese can afford full-time nurses with the funding as it stands – “a scary reality, especially considering that nurses are usually the first responders to a wide array of school emergencies,” he said. “This is also exacerbated by the fact that there is a lack of school nurses who can afford to work in nonpublic schools. In addition, the cost for the proper qualifications has increased.”
“Timing is critical,” official said
Dr. George V. Corwell, NJCC’s director of education, had previously testified before the Assembly Budget Committee March 19 on the funding issue. He said that crucial moments slip by between an emergency and arrival of emergency services.
“With the lack of availability of nurses … and the time delay for the arrival of EMTs, there could be life-threatening scenarios,” Dr. Corwell said. “I note that in some of these afterschool settings, the timing is critical because of injuries that may take place on school athletic fields, playgrounds, etc.”
In the latest hearing, Milecki emphasized the need for safety and equity. She said, “We ask that you help us ensure the health and safety of non-public school students by supporting this modest funding increase so they are afforded the same standard of care as their peers in public schools.”
For more information visit https://njcatholic.org/budget-and-policy-issues.
This article was written by EmmaLee Italia, with contributions from Mary Stadnyk, for Trenton Monitor.
Featured image: Bonnie Milecki, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Trenton, and Patrick Collins, a junior in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, testified before the NJ Assembly Budget Committee. At left is Collins’ father, Kevin. (Photos by Trenton Monitor staff)
