Writer: Dylan Bruton
3 min read March 2024 –– While public school funding has increasingly become a point of contention across the United States, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration recently proposed a historic investment in education –– an indicator in how the Garden State values its future workforce.
In FY2025, Gov. Murphy proposed $11.6 billion to go towards public schools, which would fully fund K-12 schools, according to the Office of the Governor. The nearly $1 billion budget increase from the current academic year would largely serve the underfunded districts within New Jersey, including Newark Public Schools.
“Simply put: this budget will ensure that New Jersey retains its proud reputation as the best place, anywhere, to raise a family,” said Gov. Murphy, citing the importance of access to quality education among other needs for residents.
New Jersey routinely ranks among the best states for education, with U.S. News & World Report putting the Garden State No. 2 in 2023 –– trailing only behind Florida. The ranking combines Pre-K-12 and higher education, with New Jersey sitting at No. 1 and No. 29, respectively.
According to the proposed budget, $124 million would go to preschool aid, including $20 million towards preschool expansion. Another $30 million would be directed towards expanding the free meal programs, a high priority for the administration as food insecurity has risen across the state over the past two years due to higher costs. According to Feeding America, 1 in 11 New Jersey residents face hunger –– as well as 1 in 10 children in the state.
Since the proposal was made, lawmakers and various stakeholders have debated the merits of the budget as it creates adverse outcomes for dozens of school systems that would experience a cut in funding.
For example, community colleges in New Jersey would have their funding reduced by $20 million in the upcoming fiscal year. There are 18 community colleges across the state currently accommodating over 230,000 students.
According to the proposal, 422 schools would experience a boost in state aid while 137 schools would see funding shrink. Funding is dictated by property tax revenue, number of low income students and enrollment size –– leading some school districts to merge.
Furthermore, no funding has currently been set aside for the School Developments Authority, an underfunded program designed to help highly impoverished districts pay for capital improvement projects.
Lawmakers will have the next few months to address concerns in the proposed budget before the deadline of June 30.
Top image via Phil Murphy/Flickr
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