TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — More than 100 school districts in New Jersey were looking at a significant reduction in state aid in the governor’s recently proposed budget. Lawmakers in Trenton are fast-tracking a bill to fill the gaps.
School districts throughout the state were baffled by the cuts when the governor announced his budget plan.
The N.J. Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to provide over $100 million to solve the problem. Sen. Michael Testa says the S2 formula has been unfair for years, and he says Wildwood losing 53% next year is unacceptable.
“I think that’s an alarming number that anyone realizes is completely and wholly unfair,” Testa said.
Many districts that were set to lose funding are planning difficult program cuts and layoffs if the money isn’t there.
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Wildwood Superintendent Kenyon Cummings says planning is virtually impossible because the annual funding formula is too unpredictable.
“It’s so volatile year to year not knowing what’s going to happen as a result of the formula. I can’t really responsibly plan for that. I couldn’t have done it this year,” Cummings said.
Other school officials said they have been very efficient, doing more with less, in their budgets while some districts have been rewarded for being wasteful and spending more per pupil.
“Why isn’t the DOE interested in how these districts are going to reduce costs? What’s their plan?” Cummings said.
Others have said the $100 million is needed but it’s just a “Band-Aid” solution and they want fundamental changes to the school funding formula.
Also, time is of the essence here as districts have about six weeks before staffing decisions must be made for next year.
Gov. Phil Murphy vowed to sign the bill when both chambers in Trenton vote to approve, and that appears very likely to happen by the end of the month.