Will Newark Voters Give Thumbs-Up To $1 Billion School Budget?

NEWARK, NJ — Newark residents will get their first chance in 22 years to vote on their local school budget on Tuesday, April 16. But will voters approve a $1.1 billion spending plan for next year, even if it means a small tax hike for homeowners?

On Friday, the Newark Board of Education (NBOE) announced that its members have unanimously approved the FY 2019-2020 school budget. If voters approve the plan, it will mean a $2.7 million increase in the tax levy for Newark taxpayers.

For the average Newark homeowner with a property valued at $175,000, the tax hike will amount to about $38 a year, according to NBOE Business Administrator Valerie Wilson.

Wilson pointed out that the tax increase is small… about “10 cents a day” for the average homeowner.

“Our goal is not to have a negative impact on the citizens of Newark, yet to have a transformative impact on our students,” Wilson said.

To review the FY 2019-2020 budget, click here.

According to the NBOE, the April election will be the first time in 22 years that residents of Newark can vote on the Board of Education school budget.

• See related article: Newark Residents Will Pick Own School Board, Vote On Own Budget

The NBOE provided the following information about the 2019-2020 budget:

"The budget takes into consideration a number of factors; including an increase of $24.8 million in state aid, an increase in the NBOE allocation to Newark charter schools, transportation and the cost of educating Newark children attending school outside of the school district. The budget also reflects a decrease in some spending by the NBOE and a total contribution of fund balance in the amount of $57 million, more than any other district in the state, percentage-wise. State aid for Newark increased by $24.8 million raising the annual state aid contribution to $812 million. The budget also reflects an increase in payments to charter schools reflecting a cost of nearly $289 million and the cost of educating Newark students in out of district placements in the amount of $44 million."

Additionally, the FY 2019-2020 budget reflects curriculum improvements, school facility improvements and upgrades and initiatives focused on improving the academic and overall school experience for students, Superintendent Roger León said.

“Our investment in them today, will yield superior students and citizens in the future,” León said.

• See related article: Newark Schools Would Get $24.7M More Under Murphy's Budget

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