Hoboken's Abbott District Funding Is Unfair, State Senator Charges

Does Hoboken deserve Abbott School funding?

That was the question that provoked a sparring session between two New Jersey state senators on Monday during a session of the Senate Education Committee.

At the center of the discussion was the formula for the state’s Abbott districts, which are the only school districts in New Jersey where the state pays for Pre-K.

The question about Hoboken’s Abbott-worthiness was first posed by Mike Doherty (R-23), who represents Hackettstown, a district that doesn’t receive Abbot funding.

According to PolitickerNJ:

“Doherty made the point that the individuals in Hoboken have a median income of $69,000, compared to $29,000 in Hackettstown. And yet Hoboken, not Hackettstown, has a state paid-for pre-K program based on its designation as an Abbott School District.”

“What have you done to update the program?” Doherty asked his counterparts. “My constituents are getting the wrong end of the stick here.”

Doherty’s speech was cut off by chairwoman Teresa Ruiz (D-29), who called him out of order.

“Hoboken was a different community than it is today,” Ruiz responded. “It’s nothing we’re going to figure out today. Many Latino and African-American families needed to utilize those programs.”

• See related article: Hoboken Free Universal Preschool – Here To Stay?
• See related article: Thought You Were Set for Hoboken, NJ Preschool? Not So Fast

Send Hoboken news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com