JACKSON – The Township Council is enlisting in the war for school funding in Jackson.
Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri wants Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education to take corrective action in the school funding crisis that has left the township’s School District floundering in its $18 million budget deficit.
Palmeri, who previously served as the Board of Education President in Jackson until he was sworn in as a member of the township council in January, said that during the township’s last council meeting the council had unanimously passed Resolution 113-2025, “affirming our support for the Jackson Board of Education’s decision to pursue litigation against the New Jersey Department of Education.”
“For the past eight years, reductions in state funding have disproportionately impacted Jackson, placing an undue burden on our students, teachers, and families. The Council stands firmly with the Board of Education and our community in the fight to ensure Jackson receives its fair share of funding and resources,” Palmeri added.
Palmeri sent a letter to the governor expressing his outrage over the state’s decision to extend a $65 million loan to the Lakewood School District – bringing its total state loan debt to over $230 million – while Jackson’s school district continues to face a severe financial shortfall without any restoration of funding.
The cuts in funding which resulted in the budget deficit caused the school district to close and sell Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School last year and remove 70 staff positions. Palmeri blames the ongoing financial crisis on the controversial S-2 funding formula, which has cut Jackson’s state aid by 50.1% despite only a 15.5% decline in pupil enrollment.
The school district is currently planning on closing the McAuliffe Middle school and realigned its grade levels to one of its high schools to address the budget shortfall this year. The Board announced it would be suing the State over the school district’s decline in state aid funding.
In his letter, Palmeri wrote, “It is unacceptable that while some districts receive massive financial assistance, Jackson is left to fend for itself, forcing devastating cuts to our schools. I call on Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education to immediately step in and provide the supplemental aid that Jackson needs – without conditions – to keep our schools operational.”
Business Spotlight
Palmeri who serves as liaison to the township’s business community recently met with Matt Ferrari, of Minit Stop Deli & Market. The market was recently honored as the Jackson Township Council’s Small Business Highlight Spotlight for February. During the last council meeting Palmeri recognized Innovate Martial Arts with a plaque. They were the Business Highlight Spotlight for January.
A Big No To Merger
Councilman Nino Borrelli recently commented on a petition that concerned forming a mega-city merger that would include Jackson. “A petition was started by an anonymous person and being circulated asking area residents to support merging Lakewood, Manchester, Jackson, Toms River, and Brick. Each of these towns are unique and have a rich history.”
“I join the mayors of Brick and Manchester in opposition to this petition. I’ve been saying in my time in public office I don’t want to see our town turn into and become a city. Merging our town with surrounding towns would not be in the best interests of our fellow residents and would undermine the independent sovereignty of our municipality,” he added.
Borrelli added, “I believe we need to maintain our own town’s identity and history and we’re committed as a governing body in addressing the issues and listening to the concerns of all Jackson residents.
“Every Jackson resident, striving to maintain our town – and I emphasize town – a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” the councilman added.
Apply For State Programs
Borrelli also noted that “the state of New Jersey is coming out in the next few weeks with a new application which will allow residents to apply for the ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and the upcoming Stay NJ program all with one form called the PAS-1.”
“It replaces the previous Senior Freeze forms and ANCHOR applications for residents 65+, and those who are receiving Social Security Disability benefits. Residents aged 65 or older, disabled homeowners, and mobile park homeowners are eligible to use the PAS-1 combined application to apply for the State’s property tax relief programs,” the councilman said.
Borrelli noted that the Division of Taxation will begin mailing PAS-1 forms to about a million New Jersey seniors and disabled homeowners in March. “Recipients can fill out the paper form, or apply online at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov, starting this month. More information for our state’s property tax relief programs can be found at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/relief.shtml.”
