Following reports that the state Department of Education will seek a takeover of the Lakewood Board of Education, Senator Singer, Assemblyman Schnall, Mayor Coles and the Lakewood Township Committee released the following statement:
Lakewood is one of the most unique school districts not only in New Jersey, but in the entire country. More than 50,000 children attend private schools in Lakewood, while approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the public school district — nearly 90 percent of whom are English Language Learners (ESL). No other district in the state comes close to this demographic reality, and New Jersey’s school funding formula was never designed to account for such a system.
As a result, the Lakewood School District faces an annual structural deficit of more than $100 million. This is not the product of mismanagement or lack of oversight. It is the direct consequence of a funding formula that does not reflect Lakewood’s unique circumstances and statutory obligations.
Recognizing this mismatch, the State has for many years provided loans to help fill the district’s budgetary gap and keep schools operating. During that same period, more than a dozen state-appointed fiscal monitors have reviewed Lakewood’s finances in depth, each charged with identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for cost savings. Without exception, every one of those monitors reached the same conclusion: Lakewood’s challenge is not a management issue — it is a revenue issue.
If the State of New Jersey believes that assuming a more direct role in Lakewood’s school district will finally lead to a sustainable, long-term solution to this structural problem, we welcome that effort. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Department of Education and with incoming Governor Mikie Sherrill to resolve this issue once and for all.
Our priority has always been — and remains — the students. The students who rely on the Lakewood School District deserve stability, resources, and an education system that is properly funded and designed for their needs. We welcome this opportunity.
I don’t understand, If this were Newark for example and 50,000 children attended public schools and 5,000 attended private schools why does that funding formula work better? We know State is still funding Transportation and remedial services for private schools but it’s not even close to the expense of funding the private school.
The budget for the school district counts only the public school students. By that metric Lakewood is getting loads of property taxes for not that many students so according to the state there should be plenty of Money.
State aid is based on public school enrollment. The Lakewood school district receives funding for 5,000 students but they have to cover the cost of transportation and special ed for 55,000 students.
Very impressive statement.
Much Hatzlocha on your good work!
Public school students should not have to suffer year after year to support a population of private school students. It’s been unfair for years, and I am GLAD change may soon be coming.
The only people suffering are the parents that send to private school. Every child is entitled to enroll public school. Yet, the Lakewood community is saving the sate millions of dollars per year by using private schools even though we pay significantly higher school taxes that we have no benefit from.
Karl.
It might make sense for you to dig a little into the facts. The public schools are not supporting private school students. Private schools are fully supported by private school parents and donors. The special ed students are all considered public school students and that is why they are supported. NJ law requires the local and state govt to provide busing for certain private school students who live more than 2 or 3 miles from school . So that is a law . But for the actual schooling ,there is no support.
Since when do the public school students support the non public school students? It’s actually the opposite.