Congressman Sires’ Statement on State Funding for Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken School Districts

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Sires released the following statement: 

“I applaud the decision made by the U.S. Department of Education which stepped in this week stating that New Jersey must guarantee its highest-need school districts remain funded at pre-pandemic levels. In accepting federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan earlier this year, the State had to comply with a clause prohibiting states from cutting aid to high-need school districts between 2021-2022. I urge Governor Murphy to swiftly reinstate the funding cuts sustained to Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and other impacted school districts due to reductions in state aid passed by the legislature in 2018. Jersey City faces the largest school funding cuts in the State despite serving one of the highest-poverty student populations.”

Jersey City Board of Education President, Mussab Ali, said, “after years of cuts in our budget from the State this order comes as a sigh of relief to the people of Jersey City. We encourage the Governor to act swiftly to restore funding to the 80 high poverty districts across New Jersey.” 

“The school districts’ needs have only grown during the pandemic, and it’s crucial that Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken receive adequate funding from the State,” said Congressman Sires.