Recall that in May of 2020, in the middle of a national and global pandemic and incredible economic pressure, the Hoboken School District implemented an additional 7.95 percent tax levy on top of the 2% allowance by the NJ Department of Education. This 7.95% increase was was calculated by the state as an enrollment adjustment waiver due to an increase in enrollment of an expected 296 students for the 2020-21 school year.
To be clear, the Hoboken School District informed the state that they had high confidence that enrollment in the district would increase by 295 students. Such a single year increase had not occurred in recent memory- nonetheless, the district submitted these numbers to the state. In turn, the state permitted an additional 7.95% tax increase on top of the allowed 2%...and all without a single vote cast by the public on the Board of Education budget.
As the Hoboken Reporter explained in an article: “We are talking about adding an additional school on the basis of enrollment numbers,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson, noting that as a result the district has to add additional sections of classes.
According to Board member Angley: "NJ DOE assessed Hoboken's dramatic enrollment growth and provided the district with an additional enrollment adjustment tax levy waiver of 7.95% [on top of the allotted 2%] in order to educate these new students with additional teachers, instructional supplies, technology, and special education needs"
Angley continued...“On top of the K-12 growth we are seeing, Pre-K enrollment is also growing each year,” said Angley. “In the 2020-2021 school year, we will add 4 Pre-K classrooms for a total of 70 classrooms or 1,050 students.”
This enrollment adjustment waiver will allow the district to collect an additional $3.7 million which will be used for salaries and benefits for additional staff, additional supplies and materials, technology upgrades, additional services and equipment, increases in the Passport to Learning program for the additional students, and expanded athletic programs due to the likely increase in participation.
Related stories:
Hoboken Reporter: CLICK HERE
HMag/TapInto: CLICK HERE
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| Hoboken Viaduct - 2007 (L) and 2021 (R) |
