School Funding – Letter to the Editor

The school funding plan, sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, would support the effort to fairly fund school districts. The proposed legislation would establish a special “State School Funding Fairness Commission” and be given one year to develop a school funding reform plan to effectively close the gap that now leaves 80% of the districts underfunded. The Commission’s objective would be to bring every school in the state “adequacy funding within five years.” Senator Sweeney’s plan makes perfect sense; ensure every district in New Jersey receives 100% of the funding they need to effectively and efficiently educate students. No more, no less.

The only issue now is that leaders in the New Jersey Assembly will not advance the legislation. This is wasting valuable time for underfunded school districts across the state and I hope Speaker Prieto reconsiders his opposition to moving this bill forward.

Every district deserves fair, full funding and the state must move forward with restoring equity to its school aid formula. Senator Sweeney has presented a fair, common-sense plan for the state’s entire system of education and Speaker Prieto should support it by bringing it to a vote.

Sincerely,
Amy Warlin-Mulholland
Logan Township