Jackson will close Rosenauer school, eliminate courtesy busing
JACKSON – A beloved elementary school will be closed to help eliminate a $18 million funding gap in the Jackson School District, officials announced Thursday.
Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary on Citadel Drive will be immediately closed and readied to be sold, Superintendent Nicole Pormilli told parents in an email. The district will also eliminate 70 positions, which district officials say will significantly increase class sizes.
“As you know, budget work and advocacy with the NJ Department of Education, the county office, the Governor’s office, and legislators have consumed us for the past seven years as we have been forced to cut staff and opportunities for students in the wake of a $22.4 million state aid loss,” Pormilli wrote to parents in a letter this week. “Unfortunately, we have exhausted our most recent rounds of negotiations, pleas and advocacy and are being compelled to take some painful steps to be able to operate for the coming school year.”
By law, New Jersey’s public school districts must balance their budgets each year, though they are constrained by fluctuations in state aid and a 2% annual cap on local tax levy increases.
Jackson School District faced years of state aid declines at the same time its costs for private school student transportation soared and more students needed extra classroom supports. Earlier this year, the district faced a $30 million budget hole.
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Under pressure from parents, school leaders and communities across New Jersey, Trenton lawmakers passed a one-time measure that restored partial funding to some districts that faced severe state aid cuts, including Jackson. Yet that funding measure was not enough to avert the impending closure of Rosenauer Elementary and other program and staff cuts.
Pormilli said the school budget was still $18 million short, despite help from state lawmakers.
“Please know that these steps are being taken under duress, but are necessary to be able to open the doors in September,” the superintendent wrote to parents.
Rosenauer Elementary opened in 1962 and was originally known as the Brookwood School. Last year, the building served 258 students in preschool through fifth grade, according to the state Department of Education. The district has five other elementary schools and 10 schools total.
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More than half of the students at Rosenauer are economically disadvantaged, half of the student body identifies as Hispanic, and one-in-four students speaks English as a second language, according to the state department.
Last year, Jackson voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have increased school taxes by $4 million and hired 26 teachers and eight counselors.
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In another attempt to avoid significant cuts, the district sought a loan to balance its widening budget gap from the Department of Education.
“We know that the passionate voices and advocacy of our staff, parents and students were heard and appreciated by decision-makers in Trenton,” Pormilli wrote. “Our combined efforts opened doors, sparked conversations, and forced lawmakers across the state (specifically on the Budget and Education Committees), to pay attention to what was happening here and the dire need for support.”
Despite the pressure, state officials denied Jackson schools’ loan request as well as similar requests from other districts. Yet they did pass a package that steered $4.5 million in state funding to Jackson schools.
“Making up for a $18 million deficit unfortunately requires broad, painful actions,” Pormilli wrote. “We are heartbroken, and we know our Rosenauer family will be as well.”
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Jackson School District officials also announced Thursday that courtesy busing and late busing will be eliminated for students in the coming school year. The result is that any elementary school student who lives within 2 miles of their school, or any high schooler within 2.5 miles of their school, will have to walk or find other transportation.
Jackson school leaders will also cut afterschool clubs and programs, high school athletics, increase class sizes and eliminate afterschool enrichment programs.
The plan to close Rosenauer and cut staff and programs is tentative until a formal budget is adopted in July.
The budget will be discussed at a Board of Education meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. June 26 at the Fine Arts Center of Jackson Memorial High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 15 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
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2024-06-20 22:34:35