Jackson Township Mayor Criticizes New Jersey School Funding Cuts
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ—It’s no secret that the new S2 funding formula hurts school districts and students in many majority Republican-leaning towns. State officials say it’s just a coincidence, but one New Jersey mayor has had enough of the state’s constant financial assault on children living in his community.
Mayor Michael Reina strongly criticized New Jersey’s school funding formula, accusing state leadership of jeopardizing local education through politically motivated budget cuts. Reina highlighted the detrimental impact of these financial decisions on Jackson Township, where the school district has been forced to secure loans to sustain essential academic programs.
According to Reina, the state’s actions have reduced over $18 million in vital funds for the Jackson School District. This significant financial strain resulted in the district borrowing money in 2023 to continue its academic and educational programs, further burdened by a $300,000 bill for a state-appointed monitor.
“Adding insult to injury, you have now decided to cut $4.5 million next year rather than the final planned $800k cut that the Jackson Board of Education was bracing for,” the mayor said. “If this is not a definition of pure insanity, then it is definitely describes the complete malfunction of an already incompetent Governor, Senate and Legislature. While these words may be harsh, it intends to send a message on how bad this system is broken.”
Reina also let his local Trenton legislators have it, saying they must do more during their time in Trenton to fight for children in their district.
“The questions are numerous, and the reasoning behind the madness of NJ’s failed School funding formula has left the tax-paying public in your state speechless. Yet, you all do nothing to change this,” he said.
In recent months, local Jackson legislators have primarily worked on introducing bills to protect farmers, horses, code blue shelters, electric car safety, and tree selection at state parks.
No bills for school funding were found using the New Jersey legislature website bill search for ‘school’.
The mayor underscored the severity of the situation by announcing an additional $4.5 million cut for the next year, a figure substantially higher than the $800,000 reduction initially anticipated by the Jackson Board of Education. Reina criticized the state government’s fiscal irresponsibility and accused the governor, senate, and legislature of mismanagement.
Describing the funding cuts as a direct attack on the township’s children and an undue strain on taxpayers, Reina urged state officials to reconsider their approach to school funding. He appealed for a reevaluation of the 2024 state budget to prevent further damage to Jackson’s educational system and to end what he views as punitive measures against students for political reasons.
“You’re holding our children hostage, and while doing so, over-burdening every single taxpayer with or without children in our Township. I ask that you look into your 2024 budget with plenty of funds to eliminate these draconian funding cuts aimed directly at our children,” the mayor said to the Governor. “I ask you to please fix what you broke and stop penalizing children over politics.”