Conditions at Underfunded Schools Prompt Houghtaling & Downey to Take Action

OCEAN TWP – Monmouth County Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey toured three severely underfunded schools in Freehold Borough Friday, calling the chronic underfunding “a crisis situation.” Before the end of their tour, the Assembly Members had already requested an emergency meeting with state Education Commissioner David Hespe. The conditions at the Freehold schools have prompted Houghtaling and Downey to tour schools in other underfunded districts in Monmouth County.

Citing the overcrowded school conditions as atrocious and unacceptable, both Houghtaling and Downey said they would investigate all possible solutions to the underfunding crisis.

“We have always known that lack of funding for local school districts is a major issue, and it was one of our priorities throughout the campaign,” said Downey (D-Monmouth), “But seeing it in person is another story entirely. The teachers and administrators are doing their best, but they need help and they need it now.”

The 2008 School Funding Reform Act formula, which aimed to allocate more money to schools with higher numbers of students who have special needs, do not speak English, or are considered at-risk, is supposed to dictate the amount of state education aid districts receive. However, harsh budget cuts followed by flat funding or negligible aid increases in the following years have left districts scrambling for resources as enrollment increases, and young students are falling through the cracks.

Freehold Borough, a district whose population is three-quarters Latino, is the third most underfunded school district in the state. Governor Chris Christie has left almost all of Monmouth County’s school districts chronically underfunded, leading to overcrowded schools, deterioration of facilities, and myriad other challenges for parents, teachers, and administrators that impede students’ ability to learn. In 2010, Christie cut nearly $31.8 million from Eleventh District schools alone. The current 2015-2016 state budget underfunds the Eleventh District by $18.8 million, on top of the $17.5 million shortfall the prior year.

“We cannot let this continue,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), “This is a matter of prioritizing our students’ futures. The New Jersey Constitution promises them a ‘thorough and efficient’ education, and it’s time we followed through on our promises.”

Houghtaling and Downey have plans to visit school districts across Monmouth County, and will next be touring schools in Red Bank Borough School District.

Photo: Bob Bielk/Gannett NJ, Bob Bielk/Asbury Park Press