As the Orthodox Jewish population in Jackson continues to grow, Jackson children have been attending yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs in nearby Lakewood. Though the bulk of nonpublic school funding comes from parental tuition, federal and state agencies send funding to the local school district board to help obtain security, nurses, technology equipment, textbooks- and most importantly evaluation and tutoring services for students in nonpublic schools.
Ever since a significant number of Jackson children started attending Lakewood yeshivos, Jackson Township has flatly refused to contract with the existing vendors servicing Lakewood yeshivos to provide these vital services. Since the Jackson students were in the same classes as Lakewood students, not being able to use their existing vendor prevented these students from receiving funding for their services. The situation started to became untenable as the Jackson student population in Lakewood yeshivos grew to the point that the schools were no longer able to absorb the costs of providing these services without passing on additional charges to the parents. To remedy the situation, the Agudah’s New Jersey office engaged in intense advocacy, urging the Jackson Board of Education to contract with Lakewood vendors, so that all students can get the services they need and deserve.
“Our office worked hand in hand with the Lakewood yeshivos, with one important goal in mind, getting our children these services” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office. “We are extremely happy to report that our efforts were successful, and the Jackson board of education has entered agreements with Lakewood vendors.”
Agudath Israel extends its gratitude to Mr. Tzvi Herman, Board of Education Member, Jackson Township, for all of the hard work and effort he put into making this possible. His commitment to ensuring that all children are able to receive the services they need was a crucial part in making this happen.
Rabbi Schnall and Mr. Herman. are both incredible people and always eager to help. Thank you for all you have done!
On behalf of all Jackson residents who send their kids to Lakewood schools: thank you for all your hard work! This makes such a difference to our lives, there was a collective sigh of relief from our whole neighborhood when this great news came through.
As for Jackson township, the message seems clear, if you wont be there for us, we will be there for ourselves.
Keep up the good work!
Why not open up schools for your kids in Jackson. Why add more to the already over populated Lakewood??? You moved out, figure things out and create a self sufficient community!!!!!!
You know, you are brilliant! How come no one else thought of that?!? Wow, I wish everyone was as smart as you!
truth be told, if schools would open in Jackson, it would be a win win, the poor kids wouldn’t have to sit so long on the hot bus, traffic would be alleviated, we would have more schools, its really a no brainer, i know the cheder was trying to work out opening a new school in Jackson, but it didn’t pan out
is that lchaim for the public? can i stop by?
To Me
That is a very legitimate question . The fact that there will soon be thousands of people living in neighboring townships, who use all of Lakewood infrastructure such as roads,,sidewalks, garbage collection in schools etc ,while paying not one cent in taxes to Lakewood is unsustainable. Just like the public school formula is flawed, this is also flawed. We have thousands of people who create traffic and use schools ,shuls and stores which necessitates ,police ,and road and sidewalk improvements, yet they don’t contribute any tax money for all those expenses. Eventually Lakewood Twp wil collapse under the weight of a system where only half of the users of its roads and infrastructure are local taxpayers .