Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina this evening thanked members of the New Jersey Senate Educational Subcommittee for their hard work on releasing $2,137,833 in school funding to be sent to the Jackson School District.

The funding comes amid a budget crisis caused by cuts at the state level and after Mayor Reina met with members of the educational subcommittee to lobby on behalf of the Jackson School District in recent months.

“I am extremely grateful that the subcommittee listened to the needs of Jackson Township’s children and teachers and released this much needed funding,” Reina said. “Each time we spoke on the subject, they listened and the end result is $2.1 million. I look forward to continuing our discussions to make sure that in the future that the Jackson School District receives their fair share of state funding for education. The State must find a way to fix the imbalances of its School funding formula, hopefully after realizing that the aid removed must be replaced and in many instances increased. This will ensure that every child has the ability to be educated and excel to their finest as they mature.”

The stabilization aid will help offset a devastating $6 million cut by the state last year.

Council President Jennifer Kuhn thanked Reina for stepping in at the state level to fight for the residents and children of Jackson.

“Mayor Reina saw a problem and even though it was outside the township’s realm of responsibility did what needed to be done here,” Kuhn said. “Unfortunately, we still have a long fight ahead of us to make sure the Jackson School District is not negatively impacted by a flawed state funding formula and I have full confidence in the mayor to continue representing our town on this long term problem.”

Jackson Township’s school district has seen $17.1 million in cuts since the state implemented the new S2 school funding formula.