District faces another drop in state funding
ennial cuts to state aid have many southern New Jersey school districts looking under couch cushions to try to keep operating at an acceptable level, and Somers Point certainly is one of them.
State aid has fallen dramatically under the Student Funding Reform Act of 2018. The district received $5.79 million for 2020 and just $3.3 million for 2023-24. However, the state Legislature approved a supplemental funding measure that returned $102 million, or about two-thirds of the $157 million that was cut statewide, to school districts. Somers Point was eligible to get back $728,000 from what had been cut.
This year, the district has lost $1.4 million and had to make up another $440,000 due rising costs across the board.
Interim Superintendent Chris Kobik presented the spending plan to the Board of Education on March 19, when its members approved sending it to the executive county superintendent for approval.
A formal presentation is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 25, at which time the public can provide input on the budget. In the meantime, the district is urging parents, teachers and other stakeholders to reach out to their state representatives to express their dissatisfaction with the funding formula that has stripped local districts of multiple millions of dollars over the past six years.
The $19,078,787 budget for 2024-25 includes a general fund of $15,093,396, a special reserve fund of $3,029,721 and debt service of $955,670.
The $22,668,282 budget for 2023-24 included a 2 percent tax levy increase to $10,664,909 coupled with staffing cuts. Total state aid equaled $3,301,645,
The local school tax rate, which had remained steady at 98.4 cents since 2020-21, increased 1.9 cents to $1.03 per $100 of assessed value. No information was provided on this year’s anticipated tax rate, as the district was desperately hoping for some relief from the state.
Anticipated revenues equal $7,266,124, leaving $11,812,663 to be raised by taxes for 2024-25. The district intends to use a tax levy adjustment from 2021-22 for eligible banked cap in the amount of $207,855, as well as one from 2023-24 in the amount of $51,636 for increased health benefits costs.
In a letter to the community dated March 5, Kobik stated the district learned it has lost another $1,135,459 in state aid.
“The state uses a funding formula that considers a number of variables including student enrollment and property values. As I am sure you are aware, the property values in the Somers Point School District have soared while our enrollment continues to decline. The formula suggests that taxpayers here can afford more in taxes,” Kobik wrote.
The district had 1,204 students in fall 2009 and just 680 in fall 2022, a loss of 524 students. However, March enrollment was 363 for Dawes Avenue School and 376 for Jordan Road School, a total of 738.
The letter went on to urge readers to contact their legislators — state Sen. Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift, all R-Atlantic, or Gov. Phil Murphy — regarding the continual cuts. It evens offers tips for contacting elected officials.
The letter further stated that Kobik is working with a network of superintendents of the affected school district.
Another letter posted on the school district website is from Board of Education President Staci Endicott to state legislators. (A copy appeared on the Sentinel editorial page March 13.)
“I write to you today with grave concerns regarding the financial stability of the Somers Point School District and the potential implications for our students and community,” it states. “Many families in our town are grappling with significant financial challenges, with nearly 60 percent of our children determined to be at-risk.”
Endicott stated the district already has been forced to reduce staff numbers and, like all others, must limit its tax levy increase to 2 percent, which she calls “starkly incongruent with the higher rates of inflation and rising wage and health benefit costs.”
“Our utmost concern is the imminent threat to essential programs and staff positions. Without immediate intervention, our ability to maintain the quality of education that our students deserve will be severely compromised,” she wrote.
In a letter to Polistina dated March 14, Kobik states Atlantic County provides more than $1 million a day to the state in tax revenue due to its hospitality- and tourism-based economy.
“The same low and moderately low income workers that generate the revenue need and deserve more support for their children,” the letter states. “I urge you to take swift action in support of our community.”