Explore New Jersey’s Ongoing School Funding Debate
At first glance, Governor Phil Murphy’s recent budget address seemed to offer good news:
“For the first time in history, we can fully fund the school aid formula.”
It’s a bold claim—and on the surface, it sounds like a win for New Jersey’s public schools and the students who rely on them. But once you scratch beneath the surface, it becomes clear that this funding promise comes with a catch—and it’s local property taxpayers who are once again left holding the bag.
The Real Cost of “Fully Funded” School Aid
While Governor Murphy touted the state’s ability to fund the school aid formula in full, what he didn’t say outright is that the formula itself is far from fair. For years, New Jersey’s school funding system has been criticized for being outdated and inequitable. The so-called “fully funded” model doesn’t take into account the unique challenges of every district. In fact, many municipalities are still receiving far less than what they need, while others continue to be overfunded.
The current formula assumes a one-size-fits-all approach—when we know New Jersey’s 600+ school districts each have their own distinct needs and realities. By calling the formula “fully funded,” Trenton is essentially rubber-stamping a flawed system rather than fixing it.
Local Communities Left Behind
So what does this mean for your town? Simply put, many districts will see state aid flatline or even decline, even as costs continue to rise. The pressure to fill the gap then shifts to the local level—forcing school boards to raise property taxes just to maintain essential services like teachers, programs, transportation, and support staff.
Some communities, particularly suburban and rural areas, are being hit hardest. These towns have already lost millions in aid due to the state’s reallocation policies under the 2018 funding adjustment law (S2). Now, as the state claims victory for “fully funding” schools, these same districts are slashing budgets or hiking taxes just to keep the lights on.
Taxpayers Paying More, Getting Less
New Jersey already has some of the highest property taxes in the country. The idea that local taxpayers must now dig even deeper while the state pats itself on the back for school funding is frustrating at best—and infuriating at worst.
Let’s be clear: property taxpayers aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for fairness. They want their tax dollars to be spent wisely, and they want their children to receive the same quality education as students in every other part of the state.
Instead, they’re getting stuck with the bill for Trenton’s fiscal choices. It’s a classic case of political spin: the state gets to celebrate a funding milestone, while local families absorb the financial hit.
What Needs to Change?
If Governor Murphy and lawmakers in Trenton truly want to support New Jersey’s public schools, they need to go beyond headlines and political talking points. That means:
- Reevaluating the school funding formula to reflect today’s demographics, cost of living, and district-specific challenges.
- Restoring aid to communities that have been unfairly shortchanged.
- Creating a more equitable distribution model that doesn’t rely so heavily on property taxes.
Until then, we’ll continue to see a widening gap between the state’s promises and the everyday realities facing students, teachers, and taxpayers across New Jersey.
New Jersey Deserves Better
We all agree that strong public education is vital to the future of our state. But that system can’t be sustained if the burden is disproportionately placed on homeowners and working families.
As Trenton touts its latest budget headlines, local residents are asking a different question: Why are we the ones left picking up the tab?