Ever heard of S2 or state aid cuts? Every year public school districts anxiously await state aid numbers to create the upcoming school year’s budget.
What is state aid?
The answer: state aid or the lack of - is the funds provided by the state to the public education facilities. It can make or break local school districts.
Out of 21 New Jersey counties, 4 counties, as a whole, lost state aid:
Cape May -7.40%
Hunterdon -1.51%
Monmouth -5.95%
Ocean -11.7%
How did your local school district do?
~actual photo of school districts waiting for the fair funding formula
How is state aid calculated? 6 school districts from both Ocean and Monmouth county sued the New Jersey Department of Education and WON. The NJDOE violated the Open Public Records Act when they would not release the formula nor its calculations. Even with the victory, the NJDOE has yet to release the formula. Since January 2022, the NJDOE has released state aid gains and losses, twice. Each time, crippling certain local school districts.
Why is this happening?
For years, local school districts have been told different reasons as to why state aid cuts exist.
Former Governor Corzine reworked the formula in 2007. “The plan, part of the governor’s effort to address criticism that many districts have been shortchanged in favor of poor schools…”
Former Governor Christie, “under the Fairness Formula, some of New Jersey's neediest schools, including the 31 former Abbott districts, would stop receiving as much state aid as they have in recent decades.”
Governor Murphy signed Former Senate President Sweeney’s vision into law; S2. “This plan will allow New Jersey to realize the promise of full and fair funding for all of the state’s school districts so they are supported in their work to provide a quality education to each and every student,” said Senator Sweeney.
The latest narrative for state aid cuts: local fair share.
S2 supporters state that school districts … based by zip code … those specific municipalities do not pay their local fair share in property taxes. Are we seriously blaming local school districts, local boards of education for something they do not have the authority to change? State aid cuts to local school districts is how Trenton deals with local fair share issues.
Well folks, some feel that the losers of S2 deserve the decimation of their school district. I’ve witnessed politicians smirk and laugh when opponents of S2 speak about the loss of state aid funding. I’ve witnessed parents, stakeholders from winning S2 districts belittle and berate losing S2 districts. Hey now, I thought we cared about ALL students?
What happened to equity? What happened to the constitutional mandate of a thorough and efficient education for every New Jersey public education student? What happened to making our children well rounded, responsible, accountable, critical thinkers?
Do we really support the education of our children? Democrats, Republicans, Independents and everyone in between, should support public education for all students regardless of zip code!
Fair is never fair and the Fair Funding Formula proves that statement. If we are going to preach Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, then let’s truly preach it, shall we? We should accept ALL school districts because they are diverse, even the ones located in Republican strongholds. The New Jersey Department of Education is responsible for providing an equitable education to ALL school districts. We should be inclusive to ALL students, regardless of zip code, when it comes to providing a thorough and efficient education.
Please note that local school districts CAN NOT RAISE PROPERTY TAXES. The only way to fix the Phantom Formula is through a legislative fix! Since the NJDOE blatantly refuses to unleash the wretched formula, it’s time to SCRAP it and to START over! How can Ridgefield Boro receive an increase of 54.63% (+2.66% in 22-23) but Cape May Point’s state aid decreased by -62.12% (-48.77% in 22-23)? Wildwood City’s state aid decreased by -52.80% (-5.56% in 22-23) and South Plainfield Boro’s state aid increased by 65.18% (+17.10% in 22-23)!
In all these years fighting against S2, the NJEA has NEVER taken a stance against S2. How can an organization be silent about their own members being RIF'ed due to state aid cuts? Today, they're supporting S3732 with the statement "urge your legislators to support and vote yes on S3732 (and, when available, its Assembly counterpart)to restore needed funding to S-2 districts that were hit with unexpectedly large cuts this year." I suppose they're in support of S3732 because it's sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal (D) and Senator Andrew Zwicker (D).
Coming soon to a town near you: Cripple the School District, Crumble the Town.
Yes, it’s calculated and yes, it’s 1political.
On Monday, March 20, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee “pending intro and referral” of S3732 will discuss this bill at 11am in Trenton. “S3732 provides additional State school aid to certain school districts; appropriates $102,784,455.”
To receive the Supplemental Stabilization Aid provided pursuant to this section, a school district shall submit to the Commissioner of Education, in a manner and form to be prescribed by the commissioner, a written plan explaining how the district will allocate these funds and how the district will fund operations in future school years in which the district does not receive Stabilization Aid or similar Supplemental Stabilization Aid.
I’m interested to hear from Senate Majority Leader, Teresa Ruiz (D) in comparison to the thoughts of Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R) to the thoughts of Senator Paul Sarlo (D) and Senator Steven Oroho (R) to Senator Sandra B. Cunningham (D).
It’ll be an interesting debate for sure.
This article is spot on. S2 by design is an attempt to force regionalization as the pols in Trenton dance around that issue because of the fear of home rule. Each child should get an equal share of state aid. NJ has abandoned the promise of 50 years ago of state aid being at 50% of school budgets