Jackson council funds school resource officers to ease strain on Board of Education from state aid cuts while maintaining 0% municipal tax increase.
The Jackson Township Council has announced that the latest budget will provide financial relief to the Jackson School District, which has been battered by years of state funding reductions.
Those reductions have led to the closure and sale of two schools, including one Blue Ribbon middle school and further consolidation of middle and high schools, increasing class sizes.
Now, the district, will have the ability to keep two police school resource officers, with aid from the township’s new budget.
Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri detailed how the Jackson Board of Education has lost more than 54% of its state aid under Gov. Phil Murphy’s S2 school funding plan over the past eight years, leaving what he described as “a tremendous strain on our schools.”
While the township cannot restore the millions lost, Palmeri said the municipal budget offers targeted support by funding two school resource officers — a move that spares the district $235,000 and allows those dollars to be redirected into classrooms.
“That money can now be repurposed where it truly belongs, back in the classroom supporting our students’ education,” Palmeri said.
He acknowledged that the budget process was delayed but argued the extra time reflected diligence, not dysfunction.
“For the first time in years, this council has shown real interest in the details,” Palmeri said. “The days of simply rubber-stamping a budget are over.”
The council unanimously approved the budget, which came with a 0% municipal tax increase.
