TRENTON – Despite $578 million more going into the school funding formula, aid to K-12 districts has been a frequent focus of early legislative budget hearings because one-third of school systems will be getting less funding.
The biggest drop is in Jersey City, down $71 million, or 22%. Toms River Regional would be reduced by $8.1 million, or 14%, and it has had one of the most frequent voices heard at the first round of budget hearings.
“Our school district lost $5 million last year and a projected $8 million this year,” said Melissa Morrison, a Beachwood resident and teacher in Lincroft. “In reality, that’s a loss of 100 public school teachers throughout our 18 schools.”