Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Recommended Timeline: Nonpublic Textbook Program
The late delivery of textbooks provided through the nonpublic textbook program is a common complaint among nonpublic schools.
The major factors that cause late delivery are the:
- State’s annual budget timetable
- Local district’s purchasing policy (districts do not receive State nonpublic textbook funds until mid-July)
- Timelines of placing orders and obtaining authorizations for purchases
In an effort to facilitate and expedite this process, the Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends consideration of the following procedures for districts.
| Task/Activity | Time Frame |
|---|---|
| The school district consults with the nonpublic schools located within its boundaries to understand textbook needs for the upcoming school year. For planning purposes, the district can use the previous year’s nonpublic textbook entitlement amount as an estimate for the upcoming school year. | By the end of May |
| The district prepares the textbook purchase order (to be approved once the textbook funds are received in July) using the previous year’s nonpublic textbook entitlement amount, or an estimate of $50.00 per student, and the nonpublic school count from the Nonpublic School Enrollment Report. Nonpublic schools may use the NJDOE Nonpublic School Textbook Consolidated Request Form, to indicate the current number of desired textbooks and their titles/vendors. | By the end of June |
| NJDOE supplies entitlement figure to the district. | Mid-July |
| The district informs the nonpublic schools of the State allocation received for each school, and adjusts the textbook order accordingly. | Last week of July |
| The district obtains the necessary approvals and submits the purchase order with the expectation that delivery will take place prior to the start of school. | By the end of July |
| The district arranges for pick up or delivery to the nonpublic schools. | Prior to the start of school |