Garden State Times

TRENTON, N.J. – Districts that have had state aid cut under the school funding formula known as S2 may have some of that aid restored under a bill that passed the Assembly Monday. The legislation (A4161) appropriates $71.4 million to establish a stabilized school budget aid grant program.

The Hawthorne School District, represented by Assemblymen Al Barlas and Christopher DePhillips, had lost 18% of its state funding—nearly $900,000, the largest cut in all Passaic County schools—this round. However, the district is one of 233 eligible for the grants created by this bill. It will see $589,000 in state aid restored for its 2024-25 budget.

Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-Essex) expressed his satisfaction with the aid restoration, stating, "Hawthorne schools were facing this unprecedented cut in funding that this bill immediately remedies for the upcoming school year." He also emphasized the importance of the funds in ensuring a quality education for students, saying, "This money helps ensure that our students will receive a thorough and efficient education for their next academic year."

The school funding formula, enacted in 2018, aimed to address disparities in state aid among districts to guarantee all schools reached their adequacy budgets. However, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen) highlighted the need for further reform, stating, "We all agree the school funding formula needs to be scrapped. Republicans in Trenton will continue to demand that S2 be replaced so all New Jersey students get the education they deserve." Despite this, DePhillips reassured that Hawthorne schools are prepared to deliver high-quality education in the upcoming school year, stating, "In the meantime, Hawthorne schools can provide an excellent education for its students in the next school year."