State Senate Angela McKnight (D-31) is celebrating a cumulative $5.25 million budget allocation for the Bayonne Public Schools and the Jersey City Board of Education.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Securing funding for Bayonne Public Schools was a collective effort, and I’m proud we were able to deliver the support our students deserve,” McKnight said in a statement highlighting the $1.25 million state allocation for the Bayonne BOE.
“These funds will go toward long-overdue facility upgrades that will enhance our students’ learning environment and ensure our teachers and staff have the safe, functional workspaces they need to help students grow. I thank Governor Murphy and my General Assembly partners for helping strengthen Bayonne schools and our children’s future.”
The Jersey City native also pushed a budget resolution to restore $4 million in cuts to the Jersey City Public Schools, a proposal that she said left her “disappointed” in February.
State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) also sponsored his own resolution for that cause, as HCV first reported.
“I am overjoyed that a resolution was reached to restore all state aid initially slated to be cut from Jersey City Public Schools. With funding fully preserved, we can avoid cuts to staffing and programs, continue meeting the needs of our students, teachers, and staff, and make critical improvements to our classrooms and facilities,” McKnight added.
“While Jersey City is growing every day, too many of our families are still struggling to make ends meet. Our schools have the power to help close these gaps and uplift, empower, and create brighter futures by giving every student a strong foundation through public education. I thank my fellow Legislators for their partnership in this accomplishment and Gov. Murphy for recognizing how these dollars make a vital difference in our community.”
The state Senate approved the $58.8 billion budget bill in a 26-13 vote, while the Assembly approved it in a 52-27 vote with one abstention. Murphy then announced signing the bill into law early Tuesday morning, just after midnight.
