Garden State Times

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Alex Sauickie delivered a compelling testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee in New Jersey, highlighting the detrimental impact of ongoing school funding cuts on education in the state.

Sauickie emphasized the long-term consequences of funding decisions on school districts, stating, “I want to ensure this body understands the cumulative effects of what will now be seven years of S2 impacts on these school districts and not just focus on the funding of this year.”

Pointing out specific examples, Sauickie pointed to the challenges faced by districts like Jackson and Plumsted due to funding cuts, leading to unfavorable student-teacher ratios and decreased resources. He stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, particularly in light of the learning loss and psychological needs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The assemblyman underscored the disparity between state aid and the financial needs of school districts, noting, “State aid is the portion of residents’ income taxes that are paid to the state coming back to support the schools in which their children are to get an education. What you’ll find is that the state aid coming back to these school districts is disproportionate to the income taxes being paid to the state.”

Sauickie also raised concerns about the unpredictability of funding cuts, citing instances where districts like Jackson faced much larger cuts than anticipated, making it challenging for them to operate effectively.

Drawing attention to the broader impact of funding reductions, Sauickie revealed that Plumsted, despite seeing an increase in funding this year, would still need to request a loan due to cumulative state aid cuts over the years.

In a passionate plea for support, Sauickie urged the committee to prioritize education funding, stating, “I ask for your support on behalf of the parents, teachers and most importantly, the children in my district. Please carefully review the budget for items that can help them.”

Sauickie's testimony shed light on the critical need to address the devastating effects of prolonged school funding cuts on education in New Jersey, urging policymakers to reconsider budget allocations to ensure the well-being and academic success of students.