On January 12th at the Lakewood high school, a presentation was given by Mr. David Schafter, one of the state monitors overseeing the Lakewood Board of Education. During the presentation, Mr. Schafter very calmly noted that by the end of the current school year the Lakewood school district will have a deficit of over $12 million. I am no mathematician but I know one thing for sure: A $12 million deficit does not happen overnight. The question screams out – how did we land in such a hole?
No one likes math but please bear with me. The state of New Jersey provides each school district with school funding. The amount is based on the wealth of the community. The state isn’t inclined to greatly fund a rich township with high property taxes and a large tax revenue. A poor district with a low tax revenue and large student body will receive a much larger amount from the state.
Lakewood has a tax revenue of $90 million and approximately 6,000 students attending its public schools. In contrast, Jackson school district has a local tax revenue of $70 million and about 8,000 public school students. On paper, Lakewood is much better off than Jackson; in the eyes of the authorities, we are a relatively wealthy town.
Here is what’s missing, though: Lakewood has an additional 25,000 children attending nonpublic schools. These children’s parents are taxpayers, but receive limited school-related benefits from their taxes. The only services their children receive are transportation and special education. But, constituting so large a number, baruch Hashem, kein yirbu, their children receive over $40 million from the local tax levy. (Were the 25,000 nonpublic school children to attend public schools, incidentally, it would cost the local district about $300 million!) So the actual amount of tax revenue for the public school district of Lakewood is $45 million for 6,000 students.
Now things are getting clearer. The “real” tax revenue for Lakewood district’s public schools is $45 million, Jackson has a little more than $70 million, 70% more. Lakewood has 6,000 students in public school and Jackson has a little more than 8,000, a 30% difference. Jackson has 30% more children but a tax revenue that is 70% larger.
What emerges from all this is that a student living in Jackson will receive approximately $5,745 in state educational aid. A student living in Lakewood attending the Lakewood High school will receive $4,700. A thousand dollars less than a child who comes from a significantly wealthier district. (A thousand dollars for each student in the Lakewood school system adds up to over $6 million, the amount being considered in the referendum)
The reason is simple: nonpublic school children are not counted in the state formula. They are invisible, leaving the impression that Lakewood is a wealthy town with a relatively small number of students. And that leads to inadequate state aid, which, in turn, yields an ever-growing school district debt.
To cover a part of the deficit the monitor has proposed a $6.2 million referendum to be voted on January 26th. According to state law a board of education cannot raise taxes more than 2% each year. If however, there is a deficit, a referendum or better explained – a public vote can be made and the voters decide whether to add more to the tax bill.
Voting in favor of the referendum will be placing a band-aid on a hemorrhaging wound. We need to fix the cause. And that means sending a clear message to Trenton “that ALL children matter, even nonpublic school children”. That the state funding formula needs to acknowledge all the children in the district. We need to unite our community and push for a change in the system, not to support band-aid solutions to major systemic problems.
[TLS]
So is that a yes to the referendum or a no?
Please be CLEER?
My friend, Did you take the 3 minutes to read the article? Did you understand the extremely clear manner in which the author explains why there is such a large deficit? The answer is clearly a NO. Both to the referendum and to the questions I posed.
He clearly means to vote no
Avi as a old fan of yours I hope this article is a hint that you are getting involved in actually solving this mess once and for all . We desperately need a unbiased talented outside party that is honestly looking out for the good of the town.
Rabbi Schnall is looking out only for the oilam. Obviously everyone should Vote no. He only has our best interests at heart.
To think and think: I’m sorry to sound critical but are you serious? Did you read and understand his analysis? He CLEARLY says that voting yes is the WRONG message to send to Trenton, and therefore to vote NO.
That’s clearly a vote no. The author indicated voting in favor would just be a bandaid and not fix the boo boo! We definitely need a real fix.
He is a member of a non-political group called agudahs Israel of NJ. So he will not end with the political punch line, but if you know math (as he started off) what he said CLEARLY =equels NO
Thanks R’ Avi! The most important part of your klal work- your thorough and clear
Perhaps there should be a reassessment of properties!
Really impressive a man of the people for the people . We need more like you ! Keep up the great work.
So clearly written. Tls please leave this article permanently at the top of the page.
Avi Schnall is a true professional and a tremendous asset to the Lakewood Community. His demeanor and fair and balanced advocacy gives him great credibility regardless of which side of the debate you’re on. There is shared responsibility at the local and state levels. Lakewood needs to curtail the residential population growth and the State must recognize in its funding formula the unique nature of Lakewood which was accomplished within the laws of the state. Avi is a well informed voice of reason. Thank you Avi!
It is time for all us parents to enroll our children in to the public school system at once like the Satmer chassidim did in Kiryas Yoel many years ago and see how the State reacts
Can the STATE formula be corrected-
must we remain invisible?
are all children in anll private schools invisible.
if indeed they are all invisible can they JOIN forces to become VISIBLE.
Finally an article that clearly explains why the there will always be a $ issue unless the state formula chnages.
Rabbi Avi Schnall you are doing a great job. You are a breath of fresh air. I enjoy hearing from someone who is interested in the well being of the yiddisha community.
Keep up the good work.