LAKE HOPATCONG, New Jersey — Students and parents in New Jersey are outraged after their school district said that they may be forced to eliminate its sports program because of a massive budget shortfall.
Students at schools all across Jefferson Township have a history of strong athletics and strong community support, but a more than $4 million budget hole threatens to railroad all these activities and more.
“We would need to cut basic skills instruction, gifted and talented instruction. We would be looking at either a complete elimination of extracurricular activities K-8, ad a 50% reduction at the high school level,” said Jeanne Howe, Superintendent of Jefferson Township Schools.
A state preservation act has kept development throughout the township at a minimum to protect New Jersey’s natural water resources.
That means tight restrictions on development; not many homes are being built, which means young families have no place to move. As a result, the student population is declining.
The state, in turn, is looking to slash school funding. That could carve out so much from what the students already here, and concern goes beyond just the school district.
“It’s just come to a head now, and we finally have nowhere else to cut. We have $4.8 million, and now they’re saying we’re going to have to cut sports, afterschool activities, music programs, and special education things. And it’s not acceptable for our kids,” said Melissa Senatore of the Jefferson Township Council.
This is budget season, when schools across the state are pleading their cases for the costs they face.
Jefferson Township has been appealing to the state for seven years now, for added school funding compensation in exchange for keeping its region pristine enough to be a viable go to source for clean water for the state.
“I fully support the Highlands Act and what it stands for, and what it’s doing for all citizens of New Jersey in providing clean drinking water, but we need to be compensated for that, and we need to protected against the drop in enrollment, and the cuts to our schools and our programs,” Howesaid.
Several groups will hold a rally Saturday at Jefferson Township High School on Weldon Road.
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