The residents of Sussex County could lose up to $40 million dollars in taxpayer relief from Trenton due to the changes in the school district state aid formula.  These state aid cuts are direct tax increases to our communities who already fund the majority of our local school budgets.  These unfair cuts will impact 20 out of 24 school districts that receive state aid in Sussex County.

The State of New Jersey has adopted a plan to reduce the Kittatinny Regional School District’s state funding by 50% over several years. In essence, Senate Bill 2 (S2) reflects the state’s belief that the taxpayers of the Kittatinny Regional School District are under taxed and that the state will no longer subsidize communities who are not paying their “Local Fair Share” – an arbitrary calculation that we continue to challenge. Even if tax levy increases were maximized under the state-imposed cap, S2 will generate annual budget deficits that will require meaningful cuts to the programs and services that have distinguished this district in the State of New Jersey.

The impact of a revenue loss of this magnitude cannot be overstated. Over the next several years, programs and services in the areas of student supports, academic offerings, athletic and extracurricular opportunities, busing, as well as progress towards targeted refinements outlined in our strategic plan, will all be markedly diminished.

This year, Kittatinny Regional's state aid was reduced by $503,000, and the upcoming next budget year we anticipate we will lose between $700,000 and $800,000 with subsequent reductions for the next four years thereafter continuing on until we lose approximately $2.5 million in funding each year moving forward.  

We ask you to sign this petition to encourage Governor Murphy and New Jersey Legislators to re-examine this flawed funding formula and delay the phase-in until the full scope of its impact is understood.