New Jersey lawmakers trying to find solution to school budget cuts
TRENTON, N.J. – Some New Jersey school districts staring at budget cuts are fighting back.
“This year we are going to be cutting $6.2 million worth of humans,” said Scott Feder, superintendent of South Brunswick School System.
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“We’re standing to lose 20 percent of our state aid that we received last year,” said Carol Birnbohm, superintendent of Lenape Regional High School District.
While more than 400 school districts will see increases in funding this year, around 140 are having funding taken away, including South Brunswick.
“I have been here week after week lobbying for a significant change in the taxing system in New Jersey schools,” said Feder.
Superintendents from around New Jersey came to the State House Thursday, urging lawmakers to pass a Democrat-penned bill that they say could solve some of their money problems. The bill would provide aid grants to eligible school districts of up to two-thirds of the amount they stand to lose this upcoming school year. It would also give school districts flexibility with the 2% tax cap and let them decide if they need to raise taxes to bring in more money.
“That’s what this is about – protecting the staff, protecting the programming, protecting what we offer, the quality of education, to the kids,” said Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-NJ Deputy Majority Leader)
Senate Republicans also have a bill in the works, one that they say is already paid for.
“Our plan would restore over $200 million to these districts,” said Republican State Senator Declan O’Scanlon, who says it would take money already in the budget, like millions dedicated to Jersey City’s French art museum project, the Centre Pompidou’s North American branch, and repurpose it.
“We have a really comprehensive plan,” said O’Scanlon, “and we also stand ready to work with the Department of Education to rework the school funding formula, so we solve this forever.”
He says due to opposition, it’s possible the bill won’t make it to committee.
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