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Sussex County commissioners call for fair, adequate school funding from state
Summary
The Board adopted a resolution urging the governor and state education officials to re-evaluate the SFRA funding formula, eliminate aid caps, and restore funding to under-resourced districts; commissioners said rural Sussex County has lost significant state aid in recent years and needs relief.
The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners on May 27 adopted a resolution calling on the governor, the New Jersey Department of Education and state legislators to re-evaluate the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA), remove arbitrary caps on aid increases and restore adequate state aid to underfunded districts.
Commissioner Silverthornne, speaking in support of the resolution, said rural districts in the county have been harmed by state funding reductions and stated that under the Murphy administration Sussex County schools "have lost $13.2 million," a figure she used to underscore the county's case for restoration of aid. The resolution cites the impact of state aid reductions on class sizes, advanced course offerings and local property taxes.
The board moved to adopt resolution A and a roll-call vote recorded unanimous support from Commissioners Carney, Deputy Director Degrew, Commissioner Henderson, Commissioner Silverthornne and Director Space.
The resolution directs the clerk to forward a certified copy to state officials and seeks policy changes to restore adequacy and provide property tax relief. The resolution does not change county law; it is an expression of the board's policy position and a request to state actors.
