JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – A public hearing concerning the Jackson Township School District budget is scheduled for today, Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m.
The hearing will be held at the Fine Arts Center of Jackson Memorial High School. This session serves as a public forum to discuss the proposed budget and address the significant financial challenges faced by the district, including a $22.4 million loss in state aid over the past seven years and a current $30 million budget deficit.
The district emphasizes the importance of community support during these challenging times and encourages parents and staff to attend the meeting to express their support for the district’s efforts to manage these financial hurdles.
Former New Jersey Assemblyman and candidate for New Jersey Governor next year, Jack Ciattarelli today urged Jackson residents to attend the meeting and get involved in the letter writing campaign to state officials.
Hey folks, Jack Ciattarelli here with an important message for Jackson parents and students. Let me say what you already know, S2 and the current school funding formula has punished school districts like Jackson’s. You’ve seen more than $22 million in funding robbed from you in the last seven years – with more cuts on the way. 200+ school employees have been laid off. Sports teams were eliminated. AP classes and school clubs were cut. And class sizes are growing. You’re angry. And you should be. Let me be very clear: When I’m your Governor, this school funding formula will be gone. I am going to scrap it and replace it with an equitable formula that treats suburban school districts like Jackson fairly, and provides your kids with the support that they deserve. Attend the big school board meeting on Tuesday night. Make your voice heard. Keep fighting. Help is on the way. You have my word.
According to Jackson School Board President Giuseppe Palmeri, state officials have received hundreds of emails and letters from upset residents regarding the funding cuts under Governor Phil Murphy. Those cuts are part of the governor’s secret S2 school funding formula.
Palmeri said the funding formula created a one-size fits all formula that is cutting millions of dollars from Jackson’s annual state aid.
Murphy has told districts like Jackson there is no more money coming and has rejected the latest round of state backed loans to the district. The governor suggested those districts close schools and cut programs.
“You got three high schools, you should have two. You have five middle schools, you should have four,” Murphy said on Feb. 29. “Those are hard discussions to have inside of a community, and I get that.”
A state monitor was appointed by Department of Education earlier this year and has agreed the district has nowhere else it can cut costs, but state officials have been reluctant to move on additional funding.