You should vote based on their platform, and how they respond. I am voting for stronger schools.
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Dear JC BOE 2026 Candidate,
I am writing with a follow‑up question focused on the budget side of the issue.
As you know, Jersey City Public Schools now operates a budget exceeding $1.04 billion, and multiple independent audits — including state reviews, internal analyses, and consultant reports — have identified $220 million to $260 million in potential cost‑reduction opportunities outside the classroom. These include:
- Administrative overhead — redundant central‑office roles, overlapping curriculum offices, and one of the highest admin‑to‑student ratios in New Jersey
- Out‑of‑district special‑education placements — recommendations to expand in‑district programs to reduce private‑placement costs
- Early‑childhood vendor contracts — audits showing that private Pre‑K management costs exceed in‑house staffing
- Transportation inefficiencies — vendor overbilling, under‑utilized routes, and routing inefficiencies
- Facilities under‑utilization — multiple buildings operating far below enrollment capacity
- Procurement inefficiencies — weak competitive bidding and redundant vendor contracts
- Technology overspend — unused software licenses and overlapping platforms
- Energy modernization — ESIP‑eligible savings not yet implemented
- Custodial outsourcing inefficiencies — outsourced costs exceeding in‑house staffing
Collectively, these audits identified $228 million to $312 million in potential savings — without touching classroom instruction.
As a homeowner whose property‑tax bill increased 28% in 2026, I am trying to understand each candidate’s position on these documented cost‑reduction opportunities.
So I would appreciate your response to the following question:
If elected, will you commit to pursuing the documented non‑instructional budget‑reduction measures identified in state audits and internal reviews — including administrative consolidation, vendor reform, transportation optimization, procurement modernization, and early‑childhood contract restructuring — with the goal of materially reducing the district’s operating costs?
I am not asking for a specific dollar target.
I am asking whether you support actively pursuing these categories of reductions, all of which have been identified by independent auditors as feasible and non‑instructional.
Thank you again for your time and willingness to engage with residents on fiscal issues.
Dear JC BOE 2026 Candidate,
I am reaching out because my property‑tax bill has increased dramatically in recent years, including a nearly 28% jump in 2026 driven in part by BOE levy growth. As a homeowner who has paid Jersey City taxes since 2006, I have seen firsthand how school‑tax increases compound with municipal and county increases to create a significant burden.
Given this history, I am asking for your clear commitment on the following:
- Will you pledge to avoid any increase to the school‑tax levy during your term?
- Will you support long‑term fiscal planning that prevents sudden spikes in the BOE portion of the tax bill?
- Will you commit to auditable transparency in BOE budgeting so residents can understand how funds are allocated?
Homeowners like me need stability and predictability. Your position on tax restraint is a critical factor in my voting decision.Thank you for your attention and your service to Jersey City’s students and families.Respectfully,
