Brick Township’s public schools will eliminate 62 positions for the 2019-20 school year, officials confirmed, while taxes will increase well beyond the state’s 2 percent cap.

In a somber budget presentation late last week, officials detailed the grim news, wrought by a deal hatched between Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and Sen. President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) that will gradually reduce funding from Brick’s schools over seven years until a permanent $22 million cut will be applied annually. Over that same period, the state will mandate Brick school officials raise taxes to the maximum 2 percent allowed by law, however even the highest possible tax hike will not make up for the funding loss from the state. Under New Jersey’s funding formula, it is assumed that Brick’s property taxes are too low to support its school system.

The 62 positions slated to be eliminated for next school year include:

  • 15 special education teachers.
  • 17 grade 1-5 teachers.
  • 3 Kindergarten teachers.
  • 5 grade 6-8 teachers.
  • 5 high school teachers.
  • 1 art teacher.
  • 1 media specialist.
  • 1 world language teacher.
  • 2 physical education teachers.
  • 1 basic skills teacher.
  • 1 business teacher.
  • 5 teacher aides.
  • 5 custodians.

“The unanswered questions around state aid make that more challenging for our administration,” said Superintendent Gerard Dalton, adding that he has been relentlessly traveling around the state meeting with politicians and policymakers in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Click to Continue Reading (Brick Shorebeat)