Murphy’s School Funding Allocations Prompt LD-16 Lawmakers to Seek Changes

Thursday’s proposed school funding allocation announcement by Gov. Phil Murphy ruffled LD-16, where state Senator Andrew Zwicker and Assembly members Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis – all Democrats – said they were disturbed to see that five local school districts lost vital budget allocations for the FY25 school year.

“As the husband of a Hillsborough educator and parent to three children who went through the outstanding South Brunswick school system, I am outraged at the cuts both districts and others in our area learned of yesterday,” said Zwicker.

“I was hopeful when the proposed budget included $900 million in increased funding for schools.

Upon reviewing the actual numbers for the 16th legislative district, while I am pleased to see increases for many of our schools, these allocations do not offset my outrage and frustration on behalf of the school districts that will lose funding. This decrease will cause our children to lose access to teachers, interventionists, activities, and countless other imperative portions of their education,” said Drulis.

“While we are appreciative that many school districts in our legislative district have received positive net funding, we continue to be alarmed by the losses experienced by the school districts of Hillsborough Township, South Brunswick Township, Lebanon Borough, High Bridge Borough, and Hunterdon Central,” added Freiman. “The funding losses will be devastating to these districts. We cannot continue to follow this school funding formula as it currently stands.”

Therefore, State Representatives Zwicker, Freiman, and Drulis said they advocate for the immediate passage of A-3452/S-2434, giving the school districts the ability to responsibly respond to these significant reductions in school funding. Additionally, they are calling for a change in the funding formula that would enable transparency and greater funding predictability, eliminating large annual fluctuations.

Zwicker said, “Just like last year, I will fight for the future of the families of the 16th district, and will work with my colleagues to ensure that these devastating proposed cuts do not come to fruition.”

“The formula has proven it has significant volatility year after year, which inhibits the district’s ability to plan for changes, manage programming, staffing, and deliver quality education to our students,” Freiman added.

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. Cutting school funding jeopardizes our children’s future and undermines the quality of education they receive,” said Drulis.

Freiman concluded, “We appreciate every teacher, administrator, and school employee who shows up every single day to support our students. As your state representatives, we pledge to work on this vital task until the school funding allocations match the dedication given to our students.”