Facing a $4.5 million budget cut from the state for the upcoming school year, the Jackson Public School District’s, already reeling from years of decreased state aid, will aim to plug an $18 million budget deficit by closing down and selling the Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary school building.
In addition to the proposed sale, the district is also proposing eliminating courtesy busing, after-school programs, some high school athletics and a combined 70 staffing positions.
“As you know, budget work and advocacy with the NJ Department of Education, the county office, the Governor’s office, and legislators have consumed us for the past seven years as we have been forced to cut staff and opportunities for students in the wake of a $22.4 million state aid loss,” Jackson school Superintendent Nicole Pormilli wrote in a letter this week.
“Unfortunately, we have exhausted our most recent rounds of negotiations, pleas and advocacy and are being compelled to take some painful steps to be able to operate for the coming school year.”
Jackson had also requested loans from the state and earlier this year, the state appointed a fiscal monitor to oversee the finances of the troubled district.
Under state law, public school districts must balance their budgets every year. A year, Jackson residents overwhelmingly rejected a ballot proposal to increase taxes in an attempt to raise more funds for the district.
The Board of Education will vote on the budget at their meeting next week.
Sad this is happening to schools in Jackson, people pay such high taxes for their schools.
Like if Jackson is short on cash why does it keep buying property to “Protect Open Space”? see article about Jackson purchase 144 acres of Land?
More housing is a bigger strain on the budget. Contrary to the misinformed belief that the property tax will help balance a budget
Sounds like NYC