Sen. Beck Votes to Block Funds for Freehold Schools, Tax Relief

FREEHOLD BOROUGH - In a partisan vote taken July 3rd in Trenton, Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) attempted to block $955,792 in additional state funding to the deeply underfunded Freehold Borough School District. Had Beck’s effort been successful, the nearly $1 million in increased funding would have reverted back to Governor Christie’s originally intended destinations, mostly comprised of over-funded schools outside Monmouth County.

Beck’s vote fell nearly along party lines, with one Ocean County Republican opposing his party on the bill.

The $955,792 in additional funding to Freehold Borough would be used to provide $300,000 in property tax relief to overtaxed residents and hire several teachers needed to reduce the school district’s severe classroom overcrowding.

This vote would come after years of underfunding to Freehold Borough schools and millions in overtaxing of the Borough’s residents. Freehold Borough is consistently ranked in the top ten most underfunded school districts in the State of New Jersey and residents have seen consistent property tax increases to fund the gap left by the State. Meanwhile, many districts around the state had maintained significant over-funding for years, many of which fall outside Monmouth County.