Meeting Notice from the Joint Council of LBI Taxpayers Associations: Southern Regional School District Funding

In our ongoing commitment to keep Surf City taxpayers informed on topics that have an impact on your community and your taxes, we are sharing an email — as received — from the Joint Council of Taxpayers on LBI.  While we are not taking an official position on the topic as of now, we want to provide you an opportunity to have your voice heard. Here is the email:

Dear JCTA,

SubjectSOUTHERN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING

We have set up a meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 7 pm in the Chapel at the Harvey Cedars Bible Conference with Vito Gagliardi from the law firm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman to discuss the funding issue at the Southern Regional School District. The Bible Conference is located at 12 Cedars Avenue in Harvey Cedars and everyone is invited to attend. Vito will be discussing the status of the five districts who have been successful in changing their funding arrangements and also review the process if our Long Beach Island towns are interested in pursuing the issue.

We, the LBI JCTA (Joint Council Of Taxpayer Associations) organized this meeting and we (The JCTA) want to provide transparency in any future endeavors. The JCTA’s main concern is the huge disparity between what Stafford Township pays per student ($4,122 per year) and what the Long Beach Island towns pay per student (varies between $51,304 in Ship Bottom and up to $254,614 in Harvey Cedars per year). This disparity exists because of the original Southern Regional agreement based strictly on each Town’s assessed value, instead of their student population or a combination of both (the original agreement can’t be located anywhere). Therefore, Vito will explain in detail the process necessary to change the funding mechanism and the respective costs.

Vito has been successful in saving five Municipalities substantial tax dollars such as North Haledon, Seaside Park, Avalon, Stone Harbor and Oradell; however, Oradell is currently under appeal. Although each town has its own set of circumstances, the ultimate goal is to save money for the most unfairly taxed LBI homeowners by introducing a more equitable funding mechanism.

Again, there is a lengthy detailed process that must be followed to accomplish this goal and Vito will explain the process as well as the costs involved. This is a Public Meeting and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend since it affects you.

All LBI Taxpayer Associations are encouraged to e-mail their members about this very important meeting!

Sincerely,

Bill Hutson – Pres. JCTA