Sherrill Launches Review of School Funding Formula
Governor Mikie Sherrill and Education Commissioner Lily Laux have started an effort to explore changes to New Jersey's school funding formula.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Administration
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Governor Mikie Sherrill and Education Commissioner Lily Laux launched an initiative to explore changes to New Jersey's school funding formula. Some South Jersey districts warn they could cut positions, increase class sizes, and close schools without changes.
Why it matters
The formula requires local districts to take on a bigger share of funding as home values rise, and districts cite rising healthcare and transportation costs. Districts already reporting cuts say the current structure is straining classrooms across the state.
Haddon Township school district cut nearly 20 positions after the state reduced its funding, and Collingswood Public Schools closed Garfield Elementary School. The formula's final changes and their fiscal effect remain undetermined.
The players
Mikie Sherrill
Governor of New Jersey who launched the initiative to explore changes to the state's school funding formula.
Lily Laux
New Jersey Education Commissioner who joined Governor Sherrill in launching the funding formula review.
The details
The funding formula combines federal money, state aid and local property taxes. The Department of Education is hosting online and in-person listening sessions to gather family opinions, and the New Jersey Fair Funding Collective, made up of educators, school board members and parents, is calling for changes to account for rising healthcare and transportation costs.
Timeline
Current school year: the state budget is already set and Collingswood closed Garfield Elementary School.
Thursday at 6 p.m.: the next statewide online listening session by the Department of Education.
Roadmap
The review follows a structure in which rising home values push a larger share of school costs onto local districts under New Jersey's formula. Any changes are not expected to take effect until fall 2027.
Families in districts facing position cuts or class-size increases may see changes to their children's classrooms this year. Parents who want to weigh in can attend the Department of Education's listening sessions before any formula changes are finalized.
The takeaway
Local property wealth now shapes how much districts must contribute to schools, so residents who want a say in the outcome should take part in the state's listening sessions before the formula is revised.
What happens next
The Department of Education's next statewide online listening session takes place Thursday at 6 p.m., and any funding formula changes are not expected until fall 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration to see how school system decisions like these are structured and managed.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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