New Jersey aims to take over Lakewood schools

After steep deficits, longstanding governance issues, and years of monitoring, New Jersey moves for full takeover of Lakewood's troubled school district.

By: Nikita Biryukov

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: January 14, 2026

Words: 606

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration moved to take over Lakewood’s school district Wednesday, arguing that a slew of governance issues had deprived students there of the thorough education entitled to them by the state’s constitution.

In an order to show cause, the Department of Education said the township had failed to root out “pervasive, endemic educational and operational failures” first flagged more than 15 years ago and had continued to mismanage its resources …

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