Bayonne BOE compiles 9,500 student letters asking Governor Christie for return of cut school funding
Continuing its "crusade" to see the return of more than $26.6 million in school funding cut from the state's budget, Bayonne Board of Education officials have collected more than 9,500 student and parent letters addressing the schools' needs.
Bayonne Board of Education, 669 Avenue A. Kate Kowsh/Jersey Journal
Continuing its "crusade" to see the return of more than $26.6 million in school funding cut from the state's budget, Bayonne Board of Education officials have collected more than 9,500 student and parent letters addressing the schools' needs.
In December, BOE officials launched a public awareness campaign to draw attention to the fact that, they believe, Bayonne schools have been shorted $26.6 million in state school funding.
The campaign, called "Bayonne Kids Count, Too!" had students writing letters to state officials asking for funding for items ranging from improved technology to air conditioning, BOE Superintendent of Schools Patricia L. McGeehan said. The district has already sent 7,200 letters to government officials including Governor Chris Christie, various senators and the Commissioner of Education.
"The mantra has been, from Chris Christie, 'Do more with less,' and we understand that," BOE Business Administrator Leo Smith Jr. said. "But eventually, by doing more with less, you do less with less. It happens.â
Bayonne borders Abbott district Jersey City, which receives funding additional funding from the state. Business Administrator Leo Smith said the needs of Bayonne's schools are no less important than those of its northern neighbor.
"Sixty percent of our students are free and reduced lunch [program recipients], which immediately puts them behind the eight ball," Smith said. "The socioeconomic factors do not stop at 59th and Kennedy Boulevard."
The BOE said it did receive one complaint from a district parent asking that her child not be involved in the writing campaign.
So far, the response from public officials has been supportive, McGeehan added, which, by at least drawing their attention to the need, fulfills part of the campaignâs mission.
Going forward, BOE officials said they would wait until the budget is announced to decide, but were prepared to take legal action.
"We're hoping that we won't have to go to court to fight for this," Smith said. "I do see this coming down to a legal battle."
