Princeton University To Give More Than $14.6M To Princeton Public Schools Over 5 Years

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University announced Tuesday it will contribute more than $14.6 million to Princeton Public Schools over the next five years.

The announcement comes weeks after University President Christopher Eisgruber met Councilmembers to deliver his annual update on the University.

During the meeting, Council President Mia Sacks asked Eisgruber if the University would consider supporting local schools as the district was constrained by state budget caps. More: Eisgruber Visits Princeton Council For Dialogue Between Town & Gown

The annual voluntary contributions will exceed the amount Princeton Public Schools received from voluntary property tax payments the University made in previous years.

The timing of the University’s contribution coincides with the school district finalizing their strategic planning process. More: Superintendent Outlines New 5-Year Plan For Princeton Schools

PPS will use the funds to achieve its goals of focusing on mental health, enrichment, high performance systems and evidence-based staffing.

“The substantial increase of our support for Princeton Public Schools reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to its community,” Eisgruber said in a statement.

“The excellence of Princeton’s schools is a point of pride for all of us who work and live here. The community and University have a strong shared interest in maintaining the health and quality of our local school system.”

Princeton University has voluntarily paid taxes on properties that were eligible for exemption from taxes under state law. The University was granted tax exemption for certain properties previously left voluntarily on the tax rolls.

To make up the lost property tax revenue, the University will contribute $2,250,000 to PPS this year and intends to increase the amount annually by 4 percent, the University said.

The contribution will also include an additional $500,000 each year to help fund strategic priorities identified in the district’s strategic plan. For 2023, the total contribution will be $2,750,000, the University said.

Dafna Kendal, President of the Princeton Board of Education, thanked the University for its contribution.

“For decades Princeton University has been a strong supporter of Princeton Public Schools, financially and in many other ways. While we are very different institutions, we share many values, including a shared commitment to excellence and equity," Kendal said.

“We all want Princeton Public Schools to be among the best in the state and the country and we want to deliver an excellent education to all of our children. Support from Princeton University helps make this possible.”

PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley said having strong partnerships in the community makes a difference as it helps the school district to move forward with its strategic plan.

“I would like to thank and applaud Princeton University for their generous investment in the important objectives of the PPS Strategic Plan and for their commitment to our public schools and our community,” Kelley said.

“Having a specific funding amount set for the next five years enables us to support our students and to make wise, long-term decisions.”

The University’s recent two-year contribution commitment to the Municipality concluded at the end of 2022, and currently the town and University officials are working to develop terms of a new voluntary contribution framework.

The University said that starting in 2023, it intends to provide the Municipality with revenue that exceeds the amount of property taxes the University had previously paid for properties that were recently granted tax exemption.

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