Frustration Over School Funding Distribution

I would be foolish to try and proclaim any expertise on how New Jersey distributes funding to school districts throughout the state.

It is something that has frustrated public schools, lawmakers and most importantly taxpayers who see so much of their tax dollars go to education but are constantly being told it’s not enough.

Another head-scratcher is that it appears districts that do a good job of reducing per-student costs in a creative and effective manner are often penalized as greater state aid goes to districts with considerably more waste.

For some school districts there is another factor and that is lost tax ratables from Superstorm Sandy and at the top of that list are Toms River and Brick which are still recovering and dealing with a substantial loss of ratables. Toms River suffered more than anywhere else in the state with recovery in parts of the barrier island and other sections still years away from being complete, if ever.

I mention all of this because last week Democratic leaders in Trenton announced a new school funding plan that sounds great on the surface but when you dig deep is another blow for Toms River and Brick among other places.  The plan would increase state aid to what are considered “underfunded” school districts by $146 million.

Again, seems like a positive but when you see where that money is coming from you realize there is a negative.  $100 million is expected to come from new aid with $46 million being shifted from districts the state considers overfunded including Toms River and Brick who would lose $3.3 million and $2.3 million respectively.  On top of that this would begin with the new fiscal year that goes into effect July 1.

Since local school budgets have already been adopted it would mean cut backs for sure, some of which could be devastating.  It would also likely mean future local taxes would have to increase to make up for shortfalls and it’s fair to say quality of education would suffer.

The Toms River School District wants their voices heard and will likely deliver a message to the State Senate and Assembly.  Whether anyone will listen is another story.