NJ school budget deficits prompt plea for legislative action

Lawmakers and school officials brainstormed policy ideas to prevent school budget deficits, but witnesses warned more state aid is key.

By: Dana DiFilippo

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 892

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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A growing spate of budget deficits at school districts around New Jersey drove Assembly lawmakers to convene a public hearing Thursday at the Statehouse, where advocates blamed all sorts of culprits but united on one big bogeyman: inadequate state funding.

School districts including Hackensack, Montclair, Perth Amboy, East Orange, Jefferson Township, Lakewood, and Toms River have grappled in the past year or so with deficits ranging …

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