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BRICK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 101 HENDRICKSON AVENUE

BRICK, NEW JERSEY 08724-2599


O FFICE OF THE S UPERINTENDENT OF S CHOOLS TELEPHONE (732) 785-3000
GERARD DALTON E XT . 1019

Dear Brick Township Public Schools Community Members:

I write to you to inform you of an upcoming March On Trenton on March 5, 2019, and to
update you on the status of the cuts in state aid by the NJ Department of Education.

March On Trenton
Brick Township School District, as one of the 71 members of Support Our Students,
will be joining a March On Trenton to ensure that our voices are heard on the day of
Governor Murphy’s budget address. The march will be held at the Statehouse and all
districts participating aim to be present by 1:00 PM. We encourage citizens to join our
effort. Attached you will find a flier with details about the event.

What do I need to know about the loss of aid?


Over the past two years, you have undoubtedly heard news or read reports of the loss of
state aid to our district. The current school year 2018-19 budget had already been
approved in the spring of 2018 and the district learned of a loss of aid on July 13, 2018
in the amount of $1,913,021, after the fiscal year had already begun. The total loss of aid
for our district is comprised of a loss of $1,162,223 for the current year and a reinstated
loss of aid from the 2017-2018 school year of $750,798.

As we plan the budget for 2019-2020, the additional loss of aid is anticipated at $2.8
million. The loss of aid is cumulative, therefore the total loss of aid will be approximately
$4.7 million. Legislation, P.L. 2018, Chapter 67, commonly referred to as S2, requires
districts such as Brick to raise taxes each year over the next six years. The mandatory
tax increase will be 2% of local school tax levy annually. Additionally, our school district
is considered to be $11.5 million under adequacy for spending as determined by the NJ
Department of Education. The combination of the loss of aid, a below adequacy budget,
and the annual mandated increase of 2% will not bridge the gap for Brick Schools.

How does the continued loss of aid impact Brick Township School District and the
community?
The district has been faced with a series of cuts to bridge the gap with this loss of aid.
Over the past two years, the district has cut administrative, teacher, and support staff
positions. Should this path continue, we are on track for continued losses of staff and
ultimately programs for our students. The following will be the reality for Brick Schools:
● Increased class sizes across all levels - reality of class sizes above 30 students
● Loss of 290+ various staff positions
● Reconfiguration of the district schools with possible school closures
● Elimination of many non-mandated programs
○ Clubs and athletic programs
○ Late buses
Please know that the Brick School District remains concerned that our more recent gains
with student achievement will be marginalized with the many changes forecasted.

Did the district take any action to appeal the loss of aid?
As referenced above, you may recall in 2017-2018, the district initially faced a loss of
$750,798, after the the budget had already been developed. As it was the first year of
aid loss, districts were offered the option to apply to have aid reinstated. Brick did apply,
with voluminous documentation, and aid was returned to the district. Following the
same process, the district again applied for reinstatement of the sum of both 2017-18
and 2018-19 aid figures as that was the anticipated loss. Our application was denied and
a subsequent appeal has gone unanswered.

What has the district done beyond appeals to the NJ Department of Education?
We have and continue to take action on behalf of the community. Brick Township Public
School District has continued to collaborate with districts in the region over the past few
years in pursuit of a remedy at the state level.
● Support Our Students (S.O.S) is a group comprised of seventy-one districts
advocating with legislators to reconsider the current methodology for school
funding. Brick Township School District is a member of the organization. We are
grateful to the leadership and support of our neighbors in Toms River Regional
Schools and superintendents across the state in the preparation and issuance of
a public statement in December and again on February 1, 2019, by S.O.S. to
more than 250 media outlets, legislators and state education leaders.
● Brick Township Public Schools, along with eight other districts entered into
litigation against the NJ Department of Education through the Weiner Law Group,
LLP with a filing on January 22, 2019.
● Advocacy with legislators continues. Our district and others continue to meet with
legislators both local and from across the state. Whether through independent
meetings or through organizations, we advocate for our district, the loss of aid
and recent mandates that further impact our budget.

What can you do as a local citizen?


The most important thing each citizen can do is to remain informed. Appeal processes
have not been successful, the budgetary impact is real and has already begun to impact
every classroom and program in the district.
● Join the March On Trenton
● Write letters to legislators across the state
● Remain informed by following Support Our Students on Twitter @NJ_SOS
The Brick Township School District seeks your continued support in all of our efforts to
advocate for our students, staff, programs, and the future of our community!

Educationally yours,

Gerard Dalton
Superintendent of Schools

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