The Lakewood Board of Education to appear in court in Mercerville, New Jersey over the budget, TLS has learned.

School District Superintendent Laura Winters refuses to certify the budget, as she does not believe it provides a thorough and efficient education.

Board members, Business Administrator Robert Finger and State Monitor David Shafter all agree that the budget that was conditionally approved last night at the board meeting, is based on unsecured promises and lackluster assurances by the State Department of Education to provide much-needed assistance.

It should be noted, that the Department of Education has previously told Lakewood school district that it will provide more than $30 million in grant money. That was removed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

The New Jersey Department of Education previously assured of the District in by June 24 and they would have a letter with regards to the loan/audit and payment deferment of $5.9 million, and that they would have written assurance with regards to SCHI school’s status of the audits that the State and SCHI continue to litigate.

None of these assurances were provided in a written form from the DOE Commissioner.

The Board voted to conditionally approve the budget so as to prevent an interruption in services to the public school students.

However, according to Board attorney Michael Inzelbuch, there are no guarantees that the district can continue to operate after June 30.

Several vendors have already contacted the District asking for written assurances that there will money in the budget for transportation services for public school students, and special education services for both public and non-public. The board is unable to provide assurances.