Jefferson Votes to Back State Bill That Would Restore Lost School Funding

JEFFERSON, NJ — The Jefferson Township Council formally voted Wednesday to support state legislation that would restore school funding to municipalities that have lost aid and development potential under New Jersey's Highlands preservation law.

The council adopted Resolution 26-149, backing Assembly Bill 4860 — the Fairness for School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act — sponsored by Assemblywomen Aura Dunn and Marisa Sweeney.

The resolution follows Patch's earlier reporting that Jefferson's school budget absorbed a $2.9 million shortfall after the state cut aid by 60 percent, driven by a 29 percent reduction in student allotments under the S2 school funding formula.

Approximately 88 percent of Jefferson Township lies within the Highlands Preservation Area, where strict anti-development rules have sharply limited new housing and commercial growth — and the tax revenue that comes with it. The resolution notes that while roughly 70 percent of New Jersey residents benefit from Highlands Region water, communities like Jefferson bear a disproportionate financial burden for protecting it.

Assembly Bill 4860 would direct state school aid to qualifying districts — those that experienced a net funding loss under S2 — located within development-restricted areas, including both the Highlands and Pinelands preservation areas. A qualifying district must also have an enrollment of more than 500 students.

A companion Senate bill, S4118, is sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris, Passaic) and Sen. Latham Tiver (R-Atlantic, Burlington).

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