Governor Murphy just signed a $58.7 billion state budget, and the very next day, one of New Jersey’s largest school districts is preparing to file bankruptcy.
If that’s not a wake-up call, I don’t know what is.
For years, I’ve shined the brightest spotlight on the school funding crisis. I’ve called for hearings on the disaster that is S2 – the law that created the current state education funding formula. This law reinforced clear winners and losers in state funding. And time after time, school districts in Monmouth and Ocean Counties have come out on the losing end.
Trenton Democrats didn’t just ignore the problem, they fueled it. After eight years of record spending, they owe taxpayers answers.
The Senate and the Assembly should convene this summer to confront the inequities in school funding once and for all. Districts are cutting teachers, sports, bussing, and academic programs, while local communities are forced to raise property taxes and sell public assets just to stay afloat.
Toms River was forced to cancel summer school for students who need academic intervention and special education services. That’s not just immoral and not smart education policy, I would venture to say that, for students with IEPs, it’s illegal.
New Jersey Democrats made this mess, and they’re looking the other way while students pay the price.
Trenton gets an F in Government 101 for failing to ensure students receive a thorough and efficient education.
I think we can all agree that it is time to Save Jersey. And the way to do that is to make a major change in leadership.
