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Cherry Hill board says state officials will tour district as funding talks advance
Summary
Board members and administration reported a productive Trenton meeting with the education commissioner and state legislators and said the commissioner will visit Cherry Hill; officials urged continued community advocacy as the state begins talks on a new funding formula.
Board leaders told the Cherry Hill Board of Education on May 20 that state officials have signaled movement on school funding after a delegation from the district met with the New Jersey Department of Education.
Board President reported that the commissioner asked to visit Cherry Hill "to see what we're talking about" and that state discussions on a new funding formula were expected to begin in July with an "extremely aggressive timeline" aimed at affecting next year's budget cycle. The board said the district would host a site visit and building walkthrough.
Board members and administrators stressed the district's local funding strain: on the record they said roughly 25% of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, the district has eight Title I schools, and "almost 90% of our school budget is now funded by local property taxes," remarks the board used to illustrate the impact of the current funding system. Board members urged the community to continue contacting legislators and amplifying local advocacy.
Administration praised bipartisan legislative contacts and noted the participation of the mayor and district legislators in the Trenton meeting. The superintendent thanked community advocates and said the district would keep the community informed about any legislative steps or recommendations.
Why it matters: Cherry Hill is the largest district in South Jersey by enrollment and has argued that the state funding formula undercounts local needs. A commissioner visit and announced working group represent potential openings to change how aid is allocated statewide.
What happened next: The board will coordinate a commissioner site visit and continue summer advocacy; the district will report back to the community if specific bills or proposals emerge.
Sources: Board President statements to the board; superintendent comments; public-recorded meeting discussion.
