In response to the recent developments surrounding after-school programs, Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles says he’s disappointed the Township could not pitch in this year.
“I was very disappointed that we could not provide additional funding for the School District this year,” the Mayor told TLS. “The township has aided the BOE many times during my tenure on the Township Committee. This is the first time we have had to say no.
This comes in response to the Township’s own budgetary concerns.
“Unfortunately, this year our own budgetary restrictions prohibited us from providing additional funding,” says Coles. “As important as these programs are, we are unable to fund them this year. Many of our neighboring towns are experiencing similar issues, cutting programs and laying off personnel.”
Coles says that more needs to be done in terms of the formula for education.
As grateful as we are for the additional funding provided by the state this year, it is obvious that more needs to be done to adjust the way education is funded throughout the state.”
How can you compare to neighboring towns?! They are loosing money by the millions while lakewood BOE is receiving millions more!
Yes, it’s true that the optics look as though Lakewood is getting a windfall this year. But in reality, the state funding formula drastically disadvantages Lakewood, and Lakewood was reliant on state handouts/loans the past years. That was temporarily righted this year with the additional millions. However, extra programs have been sponsored the last few years by the Township. That will not happen this year, due to a very tight municipal budget.