Garden State Times

Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) has issued a statement in response to the recent news that Jefferson Township Public Schools will be closing Cozy Lake Elementary School due to significant state funding cuts.

"From lawsuits to school closings, it is clear that the S2 school funding formula is simply not working as Democrats intended—now couple that with restrictive Highlands development regulations and we have a recipe for disaster," said Sen. Bucco. "On one hand we have a formula that is based heavily on population, and on the other we have regulations that prevent the development that is needed for municipalities to support their school districts. Municipalities like Jefferson, West Milford, and others are being left to deal with devastating cuts that are disproportionately more than the percentage of reductions in student populations. This has the direct effect of severely impacting our students’ ability to learn and all but strips teachers’ ability to educate."

Senator Bucco has been a long-time critic of the current S2 school funding formula, arguing it removes resources from schools, exacerbates property tax issues, and forces families to move out of state in search of more affordable living conditions.

In recent years, Senator Bucco has also advocated for increased funding for school systems and has received commendation from school district leaders for his efforts.