Sweeney Holds Roundtable on School Funding Plan In West Deptford

Forum Brings Focus To Need for Fair Funding of State Aid

West Deptford – Senate President Steve Sweeney joined with local officials, educators and others today in a roundtable discussion on the School Funding Reform Act that will provide full funding to all school districts in New Jersey, a plan that will deliver a boost for the West Deptford School District and the many other communities that are underfunded by the current school aid formula.

West Deptford, which serves students in grades kindergarten through 12, is funded at only 82 percent of the formula. It would receive an additional $2.7 million in aid under Senator Sweeney’s plan by bringing the district to 100 percent of the formula. The school system is among the 80 percent of districts in New Jersey receiving less than they should, according to the state aid formula.

“The distribution of state aid has become lopsided with too many districts being underfunded at the same time others are receiving more than their fair share,” said Senator Sweeney. “The original funding formula that was put in place in 2008 would have met that standard if it wasn’t altered with fatal flaws of adjustment aid and enrollment caps. It’s not equitable for the students and it’s not fair for the taxpayers.”

Senator Sweeney, other legislators, educators, advocacy groups and local officials have identified two add-ons to the state’s school funding formula as “fatal flaws” that cause a lopsided distribution of aid.

The school funding law of 2008 was altered to include provisions that have prevented districts with increased student enrollment from receiving fair compensation at the same time other school systems are over compensated with so-called “hold harmless” aid that gives them money for students they don’t have.

The two add-ons were intended to be temporary but continue to be funded eight years later, exacerbating a disparity that leaves some districts with as little as 40 percent funding while others get 140 percent or more of the formula aid. Senator Sweeney is also advocating for an increase in state support of $100 million a year for five years.

“Senate President Sweeney’s efforts are addressing an inequity in school funding that leaves too many districts like ours short of the state aid we deserve,” said Thomas Schulte, the West Deptford Superintendent. “All we are asking for is our fair share so that our students get the support for a quality education and local taxpayers are not forced to pay more than they should.”

In addition to the $500 million in increased aid, the $538 million in adjustment aid that is now overfunding some districts would be reallocated to help bring all districts to full funding.  This redistribution of “hold harmless” adjustment aid to underfunded school districts will help to eliminate the enrollment growth cap that discriminates against growing school districts in both cities and suburbs.

The study committee will also assess the impact of tax growth on the ability of school districts to fund their schools, evaluate special education services, look at per-pupil administrative costs, the fairness of the current equalized valuation and income measure, and the impact of property tax abatements. It will also look for recommendations to lower property taxes.