Plan to lower NJ property taxes could include merging school districts

<p>Most New Jersey residents may say that high property taxes are their No. 1 complaint about living in the state.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2018, 1:24 AM

Updated 2,087 days ago

Share:

Most New Jersey residents may say that high property taxes are their No. 1 complaint about living in the state.
Senate President Steve Sweeney last week released a list of 30 potential ideas to help fix the state’s fiscal woes — among them, merging 600 school districts.
New Jersey has 678 school districts as of the 2016-2017 school year. Some of these districts, like Oradell, only have one single school. Yet they have a full school board with a superintendent and board members.
Sweeney says that merging some of these districts could help save on property taxes. But some New Jersey residents say that while they wish taxes were lower, they like having their own district.
“I think it makes the community closer…instead of everybody being dispersed into different schools,” says parent Christine Morgner.
Sweeney’s proposal still has a while to go before it could be enacted. Other options in the proposal include converting public worker pension systems to a 401(k)-style plan, reducing health benefits and eliminating large sick time payouts for retiring workers.


More from News 12
1:38
Parks Department to hold community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

Parks Department to hold community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

1:27
Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

1:44
Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

0:34
FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

1:53
Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

0:31
Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash

Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash

2:19
Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

1:54
Funeral held for DJ Mister Cee in Downtown Brooklyn

Funeral held for DJ Mister Cee in Downtown Brooklyn

1:48
Mayor's administration awards $12.3 million emergency contract to run migrant shelter in Brooklyn

Mayor's administration awards $12.3 million emergency contract to run migrant shelter in Brooklyn

1:51
Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

0:23
Brooklyn man arrested, charged with forgery and larceny in Connecticut

Brooklyn man arrested, charged with forgery and larceny in Connecticut

2:32
Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

2:12
Power restored to most residents in Brooklyn following semi-truck crash; driver still on the loose

Power restored to most residents in Brooklyn following semi-truck crash; driver still on the loose

0:23
NYPD: 15-year-old shot in the stomach overnight in Bed-Stuy

NYPD: 15-year-old shot in the stomach overnight in Bed-Stuy

1:40
Check out how cyclists are preparing for the upcoming Five Boro Bike Tour

Check out how cyclists are preparing for the upcoming Five Boro Bike Tour

0:28
New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

0:31
FDNY: Firefighter among 3 people injured in Brownsville apartment fire

FDNY: Firefighter among 3 people injured in Brownsville apartment fire

0:31
NYPD identify 77-year-old fatally dragged by his car in Sheepshead Bay

NYPD identify 77-year-old fatally dragged by his car in Sheepshead Bay

1:29
Brooklyn Night Market takes over 36th Street in Industry City

Brooklyn Night Market takes over 36th Street in Industry City

1:26
Brooklyn residents flock to Coney Island to enjoy hot weather

Brooklyn residents flock to Coney Island to enjoy hot weather