Two years ago, over 80% of local school budgets were approved in NJ. Last year the rate dropped to over 60%. Pohat (25) and Lopat (2) had their school budgets defeated by a combined 27 votes. Alpha (12) and Pburg (22) had their school budgets approved by a combined 34 votes. This year's economy is in worse shape than the previous two years and the events recorded in the local newspapers within the past few weeks may be a precursor that fewer school budgets will be passed this year. The Greenwich and Lopat school budgets include tax increases in part because of the flat-lining of income from the NJ & federal governments. Warren Tech will eliminate 1 teaching position next year. Bloomsbury's budget will include consideration of layoffs for next year. The NJ DoE has appealed to the NJ Supreme Court to re-consider its Abbott decision which could result in even less funding for Phillipsburg in the future. Finally, NJ has deferred $270 million in education funding - which is due to school districts now - till the next fiscal year (July 1) as a cost-savings measure. A measure which the NJEA has pointed out could result in layoffs state-wide before the end of the current school year. Visit the PEA website at http://www.pburgea.org/_Articles/02-03/Articles2.htm to read about all the events above which occurred during the months of March & April. It is a real possibility that less than half of the school budgets in NJ will be approved this year. Which is the reason for this letter. Tuesday, April 15, is the day all school districts in NJ submit their budgets to the public for a vote. There are 563 NJEA members residing in the Phillipsburg area.. If every member, and their families and friends, were to vote in favor of the local school budgets on this day, every budget would pass by overwhelming numbers. Please get out and vote in favor of your local school budget on Tuesday, April 15. Results of the votes will be available on the PEA website (http://www.pburgea.org) on Wednesday, April 16. Respectfully,  Charles Nowalk, chairperson PEA ad hoc School Budgets Committee pburgea@hotmail.com |
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