Baldwin school board speaks out on voting down of N.J. school budgets

Mary Jo O'Hagan, president of the Baldwin Board of Education, released the following statement regarding some New Jersey school district budgets being voted down on April 20:

"The situation in New Jersey is indeed a cautionary tale for New Yorkers. New Jersey has the same combination of high taxes and a drastic reduction in state aid. 
State aid is a big issue, since once it is cut, school districts must make up the difference by raising local taxes or curtailing spending.

"State Education law is clear on the financial obligations of a school district. Certain debt and obligations must be paid, and services for children that are mandated by law cannot be reduced or eliminated.

"Since the overwhelming percentage of the budget is beyond the control of any school board to alter, the board is left with eliminating staff to reduce personnel costs and cutting programs and services that directly impact students. These are costs that are not mandated by the state, but our community has committed to and invested in over many years – specifically, music, art and drama, extra-curricular activities including sports, AP classes, kindergarten, and class size."