Why did Jackson get only 1.98% in increased State aid?
In January, 2008, Trenton released the new School Funding Formula. Of the 30 school districts in Ocean County, The majority received a long-awaited 20% increase. Some received 10%. Only three received less. Jackson, Brick and Toms River each receive under 2%, with the State citing property values, income levels, and “local fair-share” as the determining factors. What does this mean? In political terms it means the State feels that these three towns are affluent enough to make due with less State aid. Admittedly, there are more big houses in town and our age restricted communities are priced accordingly. There is no longer anything frugal about buying a home in Jackson. According to the State’s formula, since State aid was frozen in 2001 Jackson has experienced an increase in property values of 47%, and increased income of 27%. That put us, along with Brick and Toms River, at the top of the list for reduced State aid. But we differ from our neighboring towns in one very significant way
