NORTH BERGEN — North Bergen schools are among the most underfunded by state aid in New Jersey, according to a report issued by the Education Law Center.
The study found that the township’s schools are owed more than $24 million in state education aid, the most among any districts in its list. The study compares the actual amount of state aid to the amount prescribed by the School Funding Reform Act of 2009, which was upheld by the State Supreme Court in 2010.
“North Bergen schools have been shortchanged by the state for far too long and it is incredible to see how much our students have achieved despite this lack of support from the state,” said North Bergen Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter. “We have been forced to constantly do more with less while we watch surrounding towns receive lavish amounts of state aid to build new facilities and hire new teachers.”
North Bergen ranks seventh on the list of most underfunded schools based on amount of state aid owed as a percentage of operating budget.
“Because of the state’s bizarre interpretation of the funding formulas districts like North Bergen, that are not wealthy and don’t receive Abbott funding, are hurt the worst,” said North Bergen Mayor and State Sen. Nicholas Sacco. “This is an injustice that should be reversed immediately, and the state should adhere to the funding formula passed by the legislature and upheld by the courts.”
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