School hallway - File Photo by Dreamstime

JACKSON, NJ — The fate of a proposed $4 million tax increase in the Jackson Public School District now rests in the hands of its voters. The increase, aimed at beefing up staffing levels, is set to appear on the ballot this coming Nov. 7.

Approval of the measure would mean hiring more teachers, student counselors, and specialized staff, as laid out by district officials.

The necessity for additional funding stems from a need to fill 34 teaching positions across different levels, six mental health guidance counselors, two substance abuse student assistance counselors, along with other support staff.

This referendum comes in the wake of losing $18 million in state aid and 214 staff positions over a six-year span, which, according to Superintendent Nicole Pormilli, has severely impacted the quality of education within the district.

“Without this additional staffing, sustaining the desired educational experience for our students is unattainable,” Pormilli emphasized in a statement. She called on the Jackson community to step up and address this challenge, underscoring it as a predicament not of their making but one that requires immediate resolution.

The tax increment, if sanctioned by voters, would translate to an approximate $96 annual increase for homes assessed at the municipal average of $330,688.

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