New school funding plan would mean property tax relief for West Milford

BY ERIKA NORTON
TRENTON — Governor Chris Christie’s new school funding plan for the state of New Jersey could mean significant property tax cuts for many Passaic County residents, if the plan passes.
The governor's “Fairness Formula,” introduced on June 21, would give every school district the exact amount of state aid per student - $6,599 per pupil for each district. According to Christie, the proposed plan would significantly reduce aid to urban districts while lowering property taxes in many suburban towns.
“It is time to change the failed school funding formulas and replace them with one that will force the end of these two crises: the property tax scandal and the disgrace of failed urban education,” Christie said in his speech introducing the plan.

The plan

The state currently gives $9.1 billion directly to school districts using a weighted formula used to determine per-pupil funding for special education students, students from low-income families and those learning English as their second language. Of that $9.1 billion, about $5.1 billion goes to 31 districts deemed “poorer urban districts” or “special needs districts,” while the other $4 billion goes to the remaining 546 districts, according to Christie.
Under the new plan, those 31 urban districts that receive more than half of the state’s aid would see a decrease, while 75 percent of school districts would see an increase in state funding. The governor argued that more money for urban schools hasn't worked, citing that 27 out of the 31 urban school districts have graduation rates below the state's overall 90 percent graduation rate.
“That is an unacceptable, immoral waste of the hard-earned money of the people of New Jersey,” Christie said.

Property tax relief for many

In the state where property taxes are the highest in America - nearly four times higher than the national average according to a report released by WalletHub - increasing state aid would mean property tax cuts for many New Jersey residents. Under this new formula, 12 of the 16 Passaic County towns would see a decrease in taxes under this new funding formula. West Milford would see an average decrease in taxes of $720 per year. In other Passaic County towns, these are the estimated tax drops: Bloomingdale Borough $1,284; Clifton City $1,526; Hawthorne Borough $1,953; Little Falls $1,535; North Haledon $1,294; Pompton Lakes Borough $1,431; Ringwood $1,156; Totowa $1,601; Wanaque $774; Wayne Township $2,106; Woodland Park $1,841.
Haledon, Paterson, Passaic and Prospect Park would likely see an increase in their taxes.
West Milford Township Mayor Bettina Bieri said she has asked for this topic to be discussed at the next Township Council workshop meeting.
“As you can see, according to the governor's website, this funding formula for schools would bring fairness to school funding because funding for every child would be identical, regardless of location or district,” Bieri said in a statement. “Furthermore, this equalization formula could bring tax relief of $720 annually for the average household in West Milford. Therefore, it is imperative that the governing body take any necessary action to support this Fairness Formula pending further investigation/confirmation of the facts.”
Wednesday night, Bieri and the council discussed the Fairness Formula and all agreed to support it.
“For us it's a no brainer,” Bieri said.
In Sussex County, 16 of 24, or 67 percent of the municipalities in the county, would see a decrease in property taxes.
The greatest decrease in the county would be in Sparta Township, where residents would see an average decrease of $1818, according to the state website. Sparta Township Mayor Christine Quinn said she is in support of changing the current funding formula.
“It is encouraging to see that the formula is under review,” Quinn said in a statement. “Looking at re-distribution of funding across the student population rather than the student location will ensure that each district and more importantly each student receives their fair share. The impact of legislation such as this offers tremendous opportunity for municipalities such as Sparta.”

Plan pros and cons

The Fairness Formula plan would be an amendment to the state's constitution, put before voters on the fall 2017 ballot, an election that will also decide the next New Jersey governor. Since its introduction, the plan has gained both support and criticism.
New Jersey Education Association President Wendell Steinhauer does not support the plan, claiming it would “harm the most vulnerable children.”
“Gov. Christie’s proposal would result in a huge step backward to the days when poor families in economically challenged communities were left to fend for themselves,” Steinhauer said in a statement. “By sending equal dollar amounts per pupil to each district, regardless of need, his plan would subsidize those who have the most at the expense of those who have the least. That is the opposite of fair; it’s despicable.”
Christie said he plans to travel across the state this summer to promote his plan.
What are your thoughts on the new proposed “Fairness Formula” for distribution of state aid? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us.