to Legislative District 40

TRENTON, N.J. – The school funding formula is being reformed to provide more aid to school districts that have increased enrollment over the past decade, and the formula will be annually adjusted to reflect student enrollment.  Assemblymen Kevin J. Rooney and Christopher P. DePhillips represent some of the most underfunded school districts in the state that will receive some of the biggest benefits.

“Determining school funding on an annually adjusted base makes the formula more responsive to real changes in the district,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Our district will receive $28 million more to address growth in our K-through-twelve districts and stop excessive property tax hikes by shifting funding from overfunded districts like Jersey City.”

The formula changes will also reapportion state aid from districts that are overfunded according to the formula, such as Jersey City.  The 19 school districts represented by Assemblymen Rooney and DePhillips will receive a $28.3 million aid increase, which will increase school funding by 63 percent.

“This bill provides much needed relief to the towns and school children of District Forty,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “For far too long, our communities have suffered due to an inequitable school funding formula that has served the needs of a few cities to the detriment of the rest of the state. This legislation is long overdue.  It is about time that school aid is distributed in a more fair and balanced fashion.”

The changes to the formula, constituted in A2, passed the Assembly today 54-17.  The bill is waiting for the governor’s signature to take effect.

The 40th Legislative District includes Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick and Wyckoff in Bergen County; Cedar Grove in Essex County; Pequannock and Riverdale in Morris County; and Little Falls, Pompton Lakes, Totowa, Wayne and Woodland Park in Passaic County.

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