Brick Mayor Ducey Urges Phil Murphy to Fix “Flawed” School Funding Formula

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After meeting with N.J. Department of Education Commissioner on behalf of the students and taxpayers of Brick Township, Mayor John G. Ducey is asking Governor Phil Murphy to identify a new school funding formula to replace the formula currently being used to justify devastating cuts to Brick Township and school districts throughout the state. A resolution calling on the formula to be changed will be included on the agenda at the September 10th Township Council Meeting.

Mayor Ducey says the current funding formula is clearly flawed and has not even been disclosed, which shields it from legitimate scrutiny.

Mayor Ducey states, “the fact that the formula is being kept a secret leads one to believe that there must be flaws, it’s time to start from scratch with a fair formula for all”.

Since the formula has not been disclosed the Mayor believes that the current formula does not take into account the impact of the loss of tax ratables as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The township is still down over $300 million in ratables. Also, there is no certainty that the number of students on free and reduced lunch programs or the number of students with special needs is being considered.


Council President Andrea Zapcic supports the resolution as well, adding that “School districts like Brick Township, which have conducted themselves responsibly, are losing consequential funds and a new formula can address these inequities.”

Back in March, Mayor Ducey joined officials and students from the Brick Township School District in a “March on Trenton” protesting the anticipated loss of $23 million dollars in state aid that the new funding formula will result in. Mayor Ducey added, “The severe impact these cuts will have on our schools and our community include higher taxes, staff cuts and larger class sizes, devastating to our great town”

The Mayor is requesting that Governor Murphy and the Department of Education Commissioner scrap the flawed formula, create a new formula and release the formula so that there is no mystery as to what is being considered.

“The students and residents of Brick Township deserve a school funding formula that is fair to all, not just a select few school districts,” said Mayor Ducey.

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