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

RED BANK - In a partisan vote taken July 3rd in Trenton, Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) attempted to block $512,682 in additional state funding to the deeply underfunded Red Bank Borough School District. Had Beck’s effort been successful, the half 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 $512,682 in additional funding to Red Bank Borough would be used to hire several additional teachers needed to reduce the district’s severe overcrowding. The money will be critical in limiting future property tax increases imposed upon the overtaxed residents of the district.

This vote would come after years of underfunding to Red Bank Borough schools and millions in overtaxing of the Borough’s residents. Red Bank Borough is consistently ranked one of the 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.