Lacey School District Offers Ways To Combat State Cuts

LACEY, N.J. — New Jersey's plan to reduce state aid to the Lacey schools has put the district in a difficult position. The Lacey Township School District posted methods to fight back against cuts on its website.

Lacey schools are set to lose $623,156 in state aid next school year, bringing the total state aid to $20,347,244. That's a 2.97 percent decrease from 2018.

Read more: Lacey Schools To Reduce Paraprofessionals In Budget Crunch

The state is set to implement the following cuts in aid to Lacey:

• 2018-19: $586,536
• 2019-20: $623,156
• 2020-21: $819,809
• 2021-22: $1,015,494
• 2022-23: $950,997
• 2023-24: $591, 347
• 2024-25: $186,741
• Total: $4,744,080

The Lacey Township School District listed several officials to call or email and says you can tell them the following:

• "You are a concerned Parent or Educator (or both)!"
• "You oppose the severe cuts to school funding being imposed by
NJ Government!"
• "Your LTSD is losing $4.7 million"
• "These drastic cuts will negatively impact programming, staff,
services, facilities and … over 200,000 CHILDREN statewide."
• "Implore the State to convene a bipartisan committee to examine
this critical issue and, while doing so, ensure that school
districts receive no less than the amount of State aid received in
the 2017-2018 school year!"

Dear New Jersey State Leader:

[Introduce yourself, identifying your role as a teacher, parent, student, etc.] I represent [what group? Ex. 600 staff members, 4000 students, over 8000 parents, more than 28,000 community members] in Lacey Township. Because of school funding cuts from Senate Bill S2, [briefly state how this will impact you/your family/community. Example: I may lose my job, I will see fewer educational opportunities, my property values will likely fall...].

While our leaders in Trenton assured us that the funding formula and Bill S2 would not create any “losers,” both are, in fact, being wielded to dismantle schools around the state. In this coming year positions in our school district will be eliminated, instructional supplies will be reduced, and important curriculum updates cannot be made. If state aid reductions continue as planned, they will total over $4.5 million cumulatively, requiring continued cuts in programs and staff. The impact will change not only our schools but our school community for generations to come.

The Lacey Township School District has an exemplary record of fiscal responsibility. The funding formula and S2 are pitting district against district and student against student. Worst of all, the formula is based on false numbers and miscalculations.

As a member of the NJ legislature, you have the power to do the right thing. You inherited a formula that even your own comptroller said was flawed from the beginning. By taking immediate action you will support all children in the state and prevent a legacy of irreparably harming real lives and communities. Please freeze all budget cuts for the coming school year so we can all survive to work this out another day. The Lacey Township School District staff and students, and the future of my community and its families are in your hands.

Sincerely,

If you only have time for one call, LTSD recommends contacting Governor Phil Murphy at 609-292-6000. Here is a list of contact info for officials.

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