Small State Aid Cut Set For Point Pleasant Beach Schools For 2023-24

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — The Point Pleasant Beach School District is set to lose a sliver of the state aid under figures for the 2023-24 school year announced by the New Jersey Department of Education on Thursday.

The Point Pleasant Beach School District received $613,967 in the 2022-23 school year, and is slated to receive $610,581 for 2023-24, a reduction of $3,386 or 0.55 percent, according to the education department.

The cut comes as Gov. Phil Murphy touted a $1 billion increase in overall school funding in his 2024 budget address on Tuesday. Much of that funding has been directed at what Murphy said are underfunded school districts.

Point Pleasant Beach is one of 20 districts in Ocean County that had their aid cut for 2023-24, prompting criticism from county and state officials.

"Murphy touts his historic school funding, but it is costing 30 percent of New Jersey’s schools millions of dollars a year," said Assemblymen Greg McGuckin of the 10th District. "All children deserve a thorough and efficient education, but Murphy’s budget and funding formula picks winners and losers."

"Increased funding for schools shouldn’t come at the expense of other children’s education," he said.