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Cherry Hill board credits residentsfor opening fair-funding talks in Trenton, urges sustained advocacy
Summary
Board leaders said community calls and emails prompted productive meetings in Trenton and urged residents to keep pushing for a fairer state education funding formula for South Jersey districts; board members announced upcoming Trenton engagements with legislators and the state education commissioner.
The Cherry Hill Board of Education on Tuesday credited residentsfor prompting a productive round of talks in Trenton about New Jersey's school funding formula and urged continued, targeted advocacy as the legislature reviews budget figures.
Board chair Miss Winters said that after the district's budget meeting drew nearly 500 participants, residents inundated the offices of Majority Leader Speaker Greenwald, Senator Beach and Assemblywoman Cain with calls and emails. "When I went into the meeting at the majority leader's office the first thing they said was we heard Cherry Hill," she told the board, adding that the presence of organized community voices helped open a constructive conversation.
Why it matters: Winters and other board members argued that the current funding formula has a geographic bias that disadvantages many South Jersey districts. She said the board is pursuing both short- and long-term solutions and described a fall campaign and ongoing coordination with neighboring districts.
Superintendent Doctor Morton thanked communications staff and volunteers for amplifying the district's message and reminded residents that state budget revenue updates expected May 19 could influence whether supplemental education funding becomes available. "Please keep it up. Please keep advocating on behalf of the district," Morton said.
The board reported two near-term developments: a Monday meeting convened by Senator Beach that will include district representatives and a CHEA-organized appearance at the Senate budget and appropriations hearing on Thursday where the new education commissioner is expected to present. Miss Winters said she and other board members plan to attend.
Board members emphasized practical next steps. Doctor Dreisen and others suggested broadening the review of funding impacts to better quantify how formula changes would affect local programs and staffing. "What legislators really care about is community voice," Winters said, urging residents to contact local representatives.
The board did not vote on any funding legislation but agreed to continue regional coordination with neighboring districts and unions. Next steps include following the revenue report in mid-May and reconvening advocacy plans if additional funds or legislative proposals emerge.
