Kevin J. Rooney / 973-237-1362
Christopher DePhillips / 201-444-9719
Press Office / 609-847-3400
to Legislative District 40
TRENTON, N.J. – The school funding formula is being reformed to provide more aid to school
districts that have increased enrollment over the past decade, and the formula will be annually
adjusted to reflect student enrollment. Assemblymen Kevin J. Rooney and Christopher P.
DePhillips represent some of the most underfunded school districts in the state that will receive
some of the biggest benefits.
“Determining school funding on an annually adjusted base makes the formula more responsive to
real changes in the district,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Our district will receive $28 million more to
address growth in our K-through-twelve districts and stop excessive property tax hikes by shifting
funding from overfunded districts like Jersey City.”
The formula changes will also reapportion state aid from districts that are overfunded according to
the formula, such as Jersey City. The 19 school districts represented by Assemblymen Rooney
and DePhillips will receive a $28.3 million aid increase, which will increase school funding by 63
percent.
“This bill provides much needed relief to the towns and school children of District Forty,” said
DePhillips (R-Bergen). “For far too long, our communities have suffered due to an inequitable
school funding formula that has served the needs of a few cities to the detriment of the rest of the
state. This legislation is long overdue. It is about time that school aid is distributed in a more fair
and balanced fashion.”
The changes to the formula, constituted in A2, passed the Assembly today 54-17. The bill is
waiting for the governor’s signature to take effect.
The 40th Legislative District includes Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park,
Ridgewood, Waldwick and Wyckoff in Bergen County; Cedar Grove in Essex County; Pequannock
and Riverdale in Morris County; and Little Falls, Pompton Lakes, Totowa, Wayne and Woodland
Park in Passaic County.
