There has been a lot of discussion about the Hoboken Board of Education’s proposed 27.4% budget increase for the 2026–27 school year. One of the main reasons being shared is a supposed “loss of state aid.” But when we look at the actual numbers from the New Jersey Department of Education, that claim does not hold up.
The data shows that Hoboken City will receive more state aid, not less.
For 2026–27, Hoboken is projected to receive $9,027,407 in total K–12 state aid. That is an increase of $411,171compared to the 2025–26 amount of $8,616,236. This represents a +4.77% increase in aid year over year.
Breaking it down further:
- Special Education Aid: $4,780,419
- School Choice Aid: $3,174,384
- Security Aid: $877,411
- Transportation Aid: $195,193
There is no reduction in any major category that would support claims of a funding cut. In fact, the district continues to receive substantial support, particularly in special education and school choice programs.
So what does this mean?
It means that the narrative of “losing state aid” is simply not supported by the data. While there may be other reasons driving the proposed budget increase, a decline in state funding is not one of them.
Residents and stakeholders deserve clear, accurate information. When making decisions about school budgets and taxes, it is essential to rely on facts. In this case, the facts are straightforward: state aid to Hoboken schools is going up, not down.
