Assemblyman Expresses Concern Over Cherry Hill School Funding

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington) expressed concern over the state aid numbers for three school districts in the area, including Cherry Hill, Friday morning.

The Cherry Hill Public School District will receive a 4.2 percent increase in state aid for the 2018-19 school year, according to numbers released by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration this week. Cherry Hill will see an additional $596,329 in state aid over last year.

Cherry Hill receives $14,727,844 in state aid, including $1,476,537 for transportation; $6,294,933 for special education; and $264,597 for security. Security has, of course, been a major issue in Cherry Hill — and all schools across the country — for the last month.

While the school district recently announced it would add "fully equipped" police officers to its security protocol, residents have asked for more measures, and for them to be implemented sooner than 2020. This includes metal detectors and other measures on top of the proposed vestibules, cameras inside and outside schools, perimeter and site lighting, and card access.

But money is a major issue. State aid weighs heavily in many district's decisions on raising local property taxes. Many often say that aid cuts or flat spending from year to year gives them cause to raise what are already the highest property taxes.

Cherry Hill has typically been toward the bottom when it comes to receiving state aid. This year, it ranked 319 out of 545 when it came to size of state aid increase.

“As we methodically review the state budget proposal in the coming weeks, school funding is at the top of my list of concerns," Greenwalkd said. "I believe that there are current inequities in the distribution of the funding formula, shortchanging towns such as Cherry Hill, Chesterfield, and Kingsway."

But even Chesterfield and Kingsway's increases were higher percentage-wise, as they both saw 5 percent increases.

“Like last year, we will work toward finding a funding solution that treats every community fairly. I look forward to working with Governor Murphy to address these inequities," Greenwald said. "The disparity in school funding has been a problem for far too long and has exacerbated the state's property tax problem, which is why we need to take a close look at ensuring all schools receive equitable funding based on today's realities. We need fairness for all schools. We need fairness for all taxpayers."

Greenwald said he is part of a group that will evaluate a broad array of issues that impact taxes and spending throughout all levels of government.

"School funding is a crucial part of that discussion, and I can assure taxpayers, we intend to come up with solutions and confront the big fiscal and political challenges facing our taxpayers," Greenwald said. "We are committed to championing the tough measures needed to make New Jersey competitive, affordable and economically strong, and this includes ensuring equitable school funding for all taxpayers and children in New Jersey."

Across the state, 99 school districts will see a double-digit increase in state aid. Only 32 districts will see no increase under Murphy’s plan.

To see the full list of state aid numbers for districts across the state, click here.

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