JACKSON – While the district received some extra state aid, Superintendent Nicole Pormilli said they still need to borrow money for the upcoming school year.
She noted progress with the district’s effort to secure a loan to cover district costs and additional staff. “Things are moving forward. We did receive an advancement in our state aid that was owed to us for this whole school year. We are monitoring along with the Department of Education our cash flow to see … the amount of money we will need for this year’s budget to continue to function as a school district.”
“We are working on the 2024-25 school budget. We are anticipating our state aid numbers within a couple of weeks and we will see what our S-2 cut will be for the 24-25 school year but we are slated to lose a significant amount of state aid again,” the superintendent said.
Jackson Township’s school district has seen $17.1 million in cuts since the state implemented the new S-2 school funding formula. It was learned that Jackson Township’s school aid will be reduced by $4.5 million according to the 12th Legislative District Office.
Pormilli reported some good news with the verification on February 16 of the $2.1 million stabilization aid promised to the district by the state. “That will be put towards coming off the loan amount that we will be asking for so that will lower our debt that we will acquire.”
“We are happy to hear that and are appreciative that they recognize the need for that money in this district,” she added. The stabilization aid will help offset the $6 million cut by the state last year.
Mayor Michael Reina was also pleased to learn of the verification received concerning the stabilization funds. He thanked members of the New Jersey Senate Educational Subcommittee for their hard work on releasing the $2,137,833 in school funding to be sent to the district.
“I am extremely grateful that the subcommittee listened to the needs of Jackson Township’s children and teachers and released this much needed funding,” Reina said. “Each time we spoke on the subject, they listened and the end result is $2.1 million. I look forward to continuing our discussions to make sure that in the future that the Jackson School District receives their fair share of state funding for education.”
He added, “the State must find a way to fix the imbalances of its school funding formula, hopefully after realizing that the aid removed must be replaced and in many instances increased. This will ensure that every child has the ability to be educated and excel to their finest as they mature.”
Change In School Calendar
Pormilli reported during the school board meeting that with two inclement weather days off the new date for the last day of school year would be June 18.
Trade Fair
A trade and job fair will take place on March 21 at the Jackson Liberty High School gymnasium. This will feature over 30 representatives of trade school, employers, apprenticeship programs, the U.S. military, and career certificate programs that do not require a four-year college degree.
