deficit

By JONAThAN JAFFe

More than 2,240 residents, to date, have signed individual letters to Gov. Phil Murphy, calling for the Robbinsville Public School District to receive a higher level of funding for the 2023-24 school year.

Robbinsville school officials were surprised to learn that the state’s proposed fiscal 2024 budget is providing flat funding for the school district, despite inflation and rising fixed costs for insurance, operations, staffing and other contractual obligations. By the state deciding not to increase funding, Robbinsville schools are now facing a $2.2 million deficit. If an increased level of funding is not provided, school officials will be forced to make difficult decisions in terms of staff cuts, elimination of courses and a reduction in extra-curricular activities, while still ensur- ing the educational quality of the schools are not diminished.

Residents collected letters, which they submitted to schools Superintendent Brian Betze.

The superintendent, Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-14th Dist.) and other supporters delivered the letters in person to the governor’s office on May 22.

There is an urgency to have state officials reconsider Robbinsville’s aid; the upcoming state budget must be adopted by June 30, as per state law.

See LETTERS, Page 6