Stafford Fights Funding Cuts With Upcoming Rally

Oxycocus (Photo courtesy Stafford Township School District)

  STAFFORD – On October 18, Stafford Township school officials invite the community to a rally in support of the students in the face of drastic cuts to school funding.

    NJ Senate bill S-2, first proposed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney in 2017 and then signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in 2018, cuts “adjustment aid” to school districts that the state has deemed to be overfunded, including Stafford Township schools.

  “Over the next five years we stand to lose about two and a half million dollars and we’re already feeling the impact now,” said Board of Education member Joe Mangino at a recent township meeting.

  Mangino took time during public session to extend a formal invitation to the township council members.

  The Stafford Township Board of Education is hosting a rally/community gathering on Oct. 18 at the Oxycocus School to bring awareness to the funding issue. Mangino noted that elected officials from District 9 will be in attendance and a petition will be passed around.

[adrotate banner="278"]

  Wanting to make the event an enjoyable, there will also be some fun features including such things as fire pits, music, s’mores, and cider.

  “The idea is to rally the community because a lot of people don’t understand what these cuts mean to the town and to the school district,” said Mangino.

  The rally will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Oxycocus School, located at 250 N. Main St. in Manahawkin.