JACKSON – The Board of Education added a special question that will be presented to voters on December 8 to fund existing educational and athletic programs.
According to district sources, the $7.8 million proposal would allow Jackson Schools to continue to “fund the meaningful and robust educational, athletic, extra-curricular experiences our students deserve.”
It would increase the operating budget by $7.8 million, “greatly limiting the amount of property-sale proceeds needed to balance future budgets.”
The funds will be used to provide for various purposes, including but not limited to maintaining teachers and staff, transportation, facilities maintenance, curricular programs, athletics and extracurricular activities.
The money would also repay the outstanding State Aid advance (also known as a loan) the district required to balance the 2023-2024 budget, “eliminating the assignment and expense of a State Fiscal Monitor.”
Superintendent Dan Baginski noted that “the timing of this vote is important. Debt from a 2002 referendum will be paid off in June 2027. Replacing the expiring debt with an investment in the district’s annual budget would allow the district to secure its financial future while keeping the tax rate steady.”
He gave the example that if the vote passes, the owner of a home assessed at Jackson’s average of $654,839 would apply the $29.66/month they currently are paying in school debt for the 2002 referendum toward a new monthly investment in the district’s annual budget.
During the latest meeting, Board members approved plans to place the special question on the ballot.
“Tonight, we want to talk about how we can take a major step forward together moving to long term financial stability. This is Jackson School District’s next chapter,” Superintendent Baginski said. “Our district has faced significant financial challenges over the past few years. We’ve reduced operating costs, closed two schools.”
He was referring to Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School that was sold for $13.1 million in June 2025 and Christa McAuliffe School that was sold in July 2026 for $40 million. The two sold properties provided funds to help balance the current budget and budgets into 2028.
Baginski added that due to the budget shortfalls the district needed to reconfigure grade levels, “school structures, and challenged the state’s school funding formula.”
“Now, voters in Jackson have an opportunity to move past these challenges and invest in the students’ academic and extra-curricular programs that make Jackson special,” he said.
“Over the next three months, the district plans to share more information about how this vote fits into the future vision for Jackson School District. A website and comprehensive FAQs are available at jacksonsd.org/dec8vote. Questions can be emailed to Dec8Vote@jacksonsd.org.
The BOE has a few meetings prior to that vote, their next being on October 14 and another with a dedicated public forum about the special question to be held on November 18 where residents can ask questions. BOE meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. at Jackson Township Middle School’s Fine Arts Center, 101 Don Connor Blvd. They always include a public forum where residents can ask questions.
When voters go to the polls in December, they will see an interpretive statement that provides context for the proposal. The interpretive statement says that the district has lost approximately $139 million in Categorical State Aid since 2018.
As a result, the district has closed two schools, eliminated programs, and cut 411 teaching and staff positions. To find some relief, the district has filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey seeking, in part, equitable distribution of Categorical State Aid.
In addition to the loss of Categorical State Aid, many of the Board of Education’s general fund expenses are increasing faster than the allowable increases permitted by the state’s tax levy cap, causing further pressure on the general fund operating budget.
The Board unanimously voted to put the question on the ballot. Board member Allison Barocas said she was “very happy that we could put forth this question to the voters and I hope everyone comes out to support the district. It is really important.”
“Please come out everybody and vote on December 8,” Board President Megan Gardella added..
