Jefferson TWP's Budget Crisis Public Forum

Jefferson TWP hosted a Public Forum for locals to bring awareness to their educational budget crisis on 1/20/26. Local officials, teachers, students, alumni & tax payers voiced their opinions on the negative results of combining the 2018 S2 Education Funding Formula & The 2004 Highlands Act regarding decreases in funding from the state; 88% of Jefferson is within the Highlands Region. Over the last 7 years the town has lost close to 50 million in state funding forcing massive budget cuts along with multiple school closures. The S2 Funding Formula determines state-aid for schools based on their populations & Jefferson is restricted on expanding their residential & commercial markets. All argue that 'land stewardship' needs to be recognized when calculating numbers for Jefferson TWP since it hosts the drinking water for the largest city in NJ & more. [The views of the speakers are not always the views of the host].