Neptune board cites funding shortfalls, approves routine items after heated public comments on taxes

Neptune Township Board of Education officials on July 8 said the district has lost tens of millions in state and federal funding and faces rising operating costs, and the board unanimously approved routine agenda items after speakers at public comment urged relief from higher local property taxes.

Superintendent Dr. Crater opened the public portion by summarizing the district’s fiscal pressures, saying, “Over the past 6 years, our district has experienced a loss of more than $25,000,000 in state and federal funding.” He told the board and public that the district is also encountering a “25% increase in health care and prescription drug costs, a 30% increase in utility expenses,” rising transportation costs, and “the escalating tuition for charter schools now totaling over $4,000,000 annually.”

The district framed the tax increase as a last-resort response to those combined pressures. “Without this tax levy increase, we would have had to cut 40 positions, cancel programs, provide less transportation, and increase our class sizes,” Dr. Crater said. He emphasized the district’s academic programs and partnerships — citing AP course participation, a summer music program and an early college program with Brookdale Community College — while urging the community to press state legislators for funding relief.

Why it matters: Neptune’s statements echo concerns raised statewide under the so-called S2 school-funding framework. Board leaders said local taxpayers now…