LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Despite a 32.6 percent school tax increase in Little Egg Harbor for the upcoming school year, four school district employees were recently informed they would be losing their jobs.
Among those facing the cuts is Jack Eng, a maintenance worker who has served the district for seven years. At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Eng stood before the board and community members to deliver an emotional plea.
“I wanted to be here tonight to put a name, a face, to the title you see on paper,” said Eng. “I’m not just a line item or a number – I’m a real person.”
Eng has lived in the community for two decades. His son attends school in the district. The students affectionately know him as “Jackson’s dad” and he takes pride in being someone they can count on when something breaks.
“That’s the kind of person I want to be: reliable, familiar – someone the kids and staff can trust,” he said. “I know you believe these decisions have to be made, and I know my speech won’t change everything. I want to stand here remind you that these decisions affect real people, real families, real lives.”
Eng’s daughter, Rachel, also addressed the board to speak on his behalf. She explained how her father’s job had provided critical health insurance for their family – particularly for her brother, who requires frequent visits to medical specialists. Jackson Eng received recognition as a Student of the Month at the same meeting his father asked the board to consider keeping his job intact.
“My dad is an essential part of the school,” Rachel implored. “He’s not just extra money you should cut back on. He makes sure each child has a safe and functional day at school…He might be behind the scenes but that does not mean he’s not important.”
The board approved a resolution to reduce the following positions: one media center aide, one family partner, one custodian, and one maintenance worker – Jack Eng’s job.
Major Tax Hike
The job losses come amid the largest percentage increase in school taxes in New Jersey this year. The Little Egg Harbor Board of Education approved a 32.6 percent increase in the tax levy, bringing it to over $19 million for the 2025–2026 school year.
For context, the average homeowner in Plainfield – previously expected to see the highest increase at 36 percent – will see school taxes rise by about 18 percent annually. That district ultimately backed off a proposed 36% increase. In contrast, Little Egg Harbor’s increase will likely cost homeowners even more, yet still includes staffing reductions and increasing class sizes.
Board Vice President Abby Martin acknowledged the strain on classrooms during her Personnel Committee report.
“Even with our budget and our tax increase, class sizes are still going to go up significantly in grades two and six,” she said. “We discussed using different federal funds that might be prioritized for these grades specifically.”
Board President Laura Erber explained that the district initially considered a smaller increase, around 13.9 percent, by applying a combination of banked cap and adjustments. But it wasn’t enough to prevent deeper cuts.
Instead, the board opted into the state’s Tax Levy Incentive Aid program – designed for districts whose local tax levies fall short of their “fair share.” Participating in the program allowed Little Egg Harbor to raise taxes beyond the state-mandated 2 percent cap and receive $3.1 million in additional aid.
Erber expressed concern over the legality of the state’s offer. She said that she reached out to Senator Carmen Amato and Assemblymen Greg Myhre and Brian Rumpf for clarification. Erber abstained on the budget vote as she felt it was unclear how the Department of Education could approve tax increases beyond the two percent cap without formal legislation.
According to Rumpf, the New Jersey Department of Education’s program is based on anticipated legislation. It has not yet been introduced in either house and may come up for a vote in June.
One of the biggest factors in the tax hike is the district’s low tax base. Despite the 32.6 percent increase, school officials emphasized that the monthly tax bill in Little Egg Harbor will remain comparable to other districts.
The district currently raises $14.6 million in local taxes, while the state calculates its fair share to be nearly $25 million. This leaves the district about $10 million short of what the state considers adequate funding for a “thorough and efficient” education.
School Business Administrator Robert Green explained that the district was eligible for $11 million in incentive aid but only requested the minimum necessary to preserve core educational services.
The district serves approximately 1,700 students in preschool through sixth grade and receives about 26 percent of its revenue from state aid. Another 4 percent comes from tuition agreements with Bass River Township.
School officials emphasized that the issue is part of a larger, long-term funding challenge that’s been building for quite some time. While other districts like Jackson and Lacey have lost enrollment and aid under New Jersey’s S2 funding formula, Little Egg Harbor’s student population has remained steady – but its funding hasn’t.
As residents brace for higher tax bills, some are calling for state-level reform. During the budget hearing, public commenters voiced concern about the increasing financial burden on local taxpayers, while others emphasized the importance of investing in education to protect programs and class sizes.
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