Middletown Schools Superintendent On State Aid Reduction

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — As Patch reported last week, Middletown schools are scheduled to receive $14.5 million for the 21/22 school year from the state Department of Education.

That's seven percent less than it received this year. Which was less than Middletown schools received in 2019. Which was less than what they got in 2018. Middletown schools consistently receive less money from Trenton year over year due to a change in how the New Jersey school funding formula is decided, under a deal worked out under Senate President Steve Sweeney (D) a few years ago.

Critics have long said the funding formula hurts suburban school districts, while rewarding urban districts.

Middletown, in particular, suffers because student enrollment has been dropping over the years. Last year, Middletown had to close Port Monmouth Elementary due to dwindling enrollment and funding, and redistricting is still on the table in Middletown.

On Wednesday of this week, Middletown schools superintendent Mary Ellen Walker gave her reaction on the funding loss to Patch:

"We have been building our 2021-2022 budget since the fall with an anticipated decrease in state aid, however, the reduction was $121,000 more than expected," said Walker. "This is likely due to our decrease in enrollment this year of approximately 325 students."

This is just enrollment in general, not students who stay home for virtual learning, etc. The Middletown school district has shrunk over time.

Walker also said:

"Our proposed budget for next year is also being negatively impacted by the implementation of the new NJ Educators Health Plan," she said, referring to a new health insurance plan for NJ teachers, or teachers who are members of the teachers' union, NJEA.

"While there are some additional funding sources and operational savings available related to the pandemic, these are not recurring revenues and are not long-term solutions to the continued reductions in state aid that will be imposed on Middletown Township public schools," continued Walker.

Related: Middletown Schools To Get 7 Percent Less Funding From Trenton

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