JACKSON – The school district has been plagued by state aid cuts for the last seven years, forcing consolidation and closure of schools and a reduction of school staff. This year saw a tax increase and more job losses with its adopted budget.
For the average assessed property in Jackson which is $652,896, there will be an increase of $227 per year or $18.91 per month.
The spending plan also includes nearly 100 staff reductions for the 2025-2026 school year. There were 24 non-renewals and 75 through attrition or resignations. They are 48 certified positions, 45 non-certified positions and six positions outside of the general fund (grant funded/enterprise funds).
The staff reductions include members of the administration, teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, nurses, security, receptionists, custodians, food service and van aides.
Since the 2019-2020 school year where 23 positions were cut, staff reductions continued over that six-year period with 49, 40, 31, 72 and last year which lost 70 positions.
It was noted in a PowerPoint presentation made during a Board of Education meeting designed to explain the budget that the closing of the McAuliffe Middle School and the combining of the district’s high schools and middle schools has created significant savings for school budgets, facilities, and administrative and instructional support due to the gained efficiency.
Out of district tuition rates are outside of the control of the district. While out of district placements have been stable (49 this year and 50 anticipated for next year), the cost of those tuitions has risen.
School officials noted that the number of students eligible for aid-in-lieu of transportation for 2025-26 amounts to a 25% increase. As of March 5, the district was responsible for transportation for 6,414 eligible non-public students. This number is expected to be above 8,000 eligible students in the next school year.
For every district, the state calculates what would be the necessary funding level to provide a “thorough and efficient education” to every pupil in that district. This is what is referred to as the Adequacy Budget.
Due to budget cuts, the School District is projected to spend $40.5 million less than what the State says they should be spending.
The budget incudes15.2% state aid with a 66.2% local tax levy. The State capped the maximum loss of aid for any district at 3% this year. Jackson received the maximum cut the State could impose
and once again, was the largest cut in Ocean County.
The 2025 – 2026 proposed budget will provide funds for:
● Maintaining current district class sizes and instructional programs;
● All student textbooks and instructional supplies;
● All contractual salary and benefit obligations;
● Meeting all state and federal special education requirements;
● Transporting all eligible students to and from school including athletic competitions;
● All school building utility costs;
● Maintenance and essential replacement of all necessary technology equipment and services;
● Staff professional development;
● Facility maintenance of all district schools;
● Safety and wellness at all district schools.
The General Fund Tax Levy increased by $2,050,171. There was an adjustment for an increase in health care costs equal to $2,546,131.
Superintendent Nicole Pormilli said “we will move this district forward for 2025-2026. This final budget has been developed in a fiscally responsible manner to meet the state requirement to propose a balanced budget, continue to achieve established educational goals and provide all Jackson students with the highest quality educational programs, co-curricular activities and opportunities.”
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