Opinion: The Freehold Regional HS Tax Levy Is Complex, Unfair

It's long past due for a change in how the Freehold Regional High School
District (FRHS) property tax levy is calculated.

The current allocation formula is complex, outdated, unfair, violates the basic principles of a shared resource, and is perhaps unconstitutional.

When the resulting per enrolled pupil tax difference between member townships is as much as 437%, it needs to be changed. For example, is it an equitable formula when the Colts Neck 519 enrolled pupil tax is $26,005. per pupil as compared to Freehold Boro's 554 enrolled pupil tax at $5,951. per pupil?

A more appropriate, logical, and fair formula would be to develop a per pupil tax levy based on dividing the total tax levy by the total FRHS pupil enrollment.

For the current budget that number would be $10,964. per enrolled pupil. Simple math applied to each member township's enrollment total would result it's fair share tax obligation.