JACKSON, NJ – The S2 funding formula, a secretive formula known only to insiders within the administration of Governor Phil Murphy has devastated the educational system in Jackson Township, cutting state aid to the district in half. Instead, that money is going to fund school districts like Newark, where a school gym was recently rented out for a racy twerking basketball tournament called “All Dat Azz”.
Meanwhile, in Jackson, students are facing a school closure, cuts to educational opportunities, and cuts to school sports.
It’s no secret who many are blaming for this, but the ultimate blame lies within the administration of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the Democrat-controlled legislature, who are both allowing children in Jackson to fall through the cracks.
There’s no urgency to fix the situation. Jackson is a largely Republican town that overwhelmingly rejects Democrat politicians. But, is the Murphy administration using Jackson’s school children as a political pawn in an attempt to crack the voting base and sow political and religious dissent in the community?
At this point, it’s unsure, but many Jackson families are looking for a scapegoat, and fingerprinting is currently being pointed at the growing Orthodox Jewish community, albeit unfairly. Some political insiders say the process is by design.
Jackson residents turning on each other means everyone’s eye will be off the ball when the problem lies within the S2 funding formula that is the underlying cause of the cuts, compounded by increasing unfunded state mandates for bussing of private school students and the increase in ESL students within the district. Both are being funded on the backs of the local district without sufficient state aid to keep up with the two growing components, which is causing financial stress for the district.
Now, because of Murphy’s S2 funding, the district has announced it may be forced to sell Rosenauer Elementary School, just months after Governor Murphy declared, “No schools should be closed.”
Murphy touts S2 funding as a success…for inner city schools and districts in primarily blue-voting Democrat strongholds. For suburban schools that rejected the Governor’s radical liberal agenda, things are starting to get bad.
The Jackson School District faces a dire financial predicament as it wrestles with a budget deficit that threatens the very fabric of its educational services. This challenging scenario unfolds against a prolonged battle with funding cuts, forcing the district to make heart-wrenching decisions to maintain operational viability for the upcoming school year.
An Unavoidable Decision Amid Fiscal Crisis
The district, which has been at the mercy of a $22.4 million loss in state aid over several years, has reached a critical juncture. According to Superintendent Nicole Pormilli, the district must now implement measures to address an immediate $18 million shortfall to comply with the Department of Education’s mandate for a balanced budget. These measures include the significant step of closing Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School and preparing it for sale, a move poised to alter the district landscape drastically.
The Ongoing Struggle for Financial Stability
For the past seven years, Jackson School District’s officials have tirelessly worked with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), the county office, the Governor’s office, and state legislators to mitigate the impact of severe funding reductions. Despite these efforts, recent rounds of negotiation have not yielded the necessary support, leading to an impending reality of stark cutbacks that affect every corner of the district.
The Specifics of the Cuts
The planned cuts are extensive and encompass various aspects of the district’s operations:
- Closure of Rosenauer Elementary School: This decision is driven by the dual benefits of reducing operational costs and generating funds from the property sale.
- Reduction of Personnel: Approximately 70 positions across the district will be eliminated, mainly through attrition, which will inevitably increase class sizes and impact the quality of education.
- Elimination of Courtesy Busing: In a move that will affect many families, the district will cease busing for students living within certain distances from their schools, a service previously offered despite not being mandated.
- Cuts to Athletics and Extracurricular Activities: The budget for high school athletics and after-school programs will see significant reductions, diminishing student engagement and development opportunities.
- Operational and Maintenance Savings: By consolidating resources and reducing expenditures on school supplies, maintenance, and part-time staff, the district aims to stretch every dollar further.
The Community Reaction and Future Steps
The decision to implement such sweeping changes has not been met without dismay from the community, particularly the families and staff at Rosenauer Elementary. Superintendent Pormilli acknowledges the emotional weight of these decisions, emphasizing that they were made out of necessity rather than choice.
As the district moves towards finalizing its budget in a forthcoming Board of Education meeting scheduled for July 17, there remains a sliver of hope. Advocacy efforts have previously led to partial restoration of state aid and extended deadlines, demonstrating the power of collective community action. The district plans to continue its appeals to the state, seeking emergency funding or policy interventions that could alleviate the financial strain.
Reflections on Past Advocacy and a Path Forward
The strenuous advocacy by the district has not been in vain. It has opened dialogues and brought critical attention to the financial crises facing educational institutions in New Jersey. As the district braces for its next steps, there is a strong call to action for residents and stakeholders to rally once more, aiming to secure the necessary support that could reverse some of the more devastating budgetary decisions.
In sum, the Jackson School District stands at a crossroads, faced with decisions that could reshape its educational landscape in profound ways. As the community and its leaders look to navigate these turbulent times, the ultimate goal remains clear: to preserve the integrity and quality of education for every student within the district. The coming months will be critical in determining the trajectory of the district’s financial health and educational quality, underscoring the need for sustained advocacy and innovative solutions in the face of adversity.