Opt out its not manageable, no Opt in it's cheap!
What is most insulting is not even the increase itself it's the lack of explanation. People feel they were played.
The initial number families were already paying was $385. It was raised to $945. That price has now been reduced by $290, bringing the new total to $675 per child. But the statement never acknowledged that this $290 is on top of the $385 base parents were already paying it was presented as if the added cost was only $290, when in reality the total cost per child is now closer to $700. That omission is what many people find especially misleading.
The financials also make no sense. If the shortfall was $2.7 million, why was the increase set at a level well above that to begin with and then what suddenly changed that allowed additional funding to be found? Regardless, this is still a steep increase for parents to absorb, and it raises real questions about transparency. There is no guarantee this new baseline won't rise again especially considering that the cost was just $150 not long ago, and is now effectively $700.
People deserve answers. Was the original increase deliberately set high to create panic and make the final number seem more manageable? When was this actually known? Why were people told that those in charge had only recently learned about it? Was this planned in advance? How long before was this known?
This is not a game. These decisions affect families' emotions and finances. Those responsible owe the public more than an apology they owe a full public explanation of what happened and what is still happening.
There are also major unanswered questions about the justification for using municipal tax dollars to fully fund courtesy busing for public school students while not doing the same for non-public-school students. The public has repeatedly asked for a legal explanation and still has not received one.
And taxpayers are being told that budget cuts are responsible, with blame placed on Trump, FEMA, and the state. But Lakewood's municipal tax levy increased for 5 years in a row from about $72.2 million in 2021 to $97.2 million in 2025 an increase of roughly 35%. The Township is now proposing another $14 million increase for 2026, bringing the municipal levy to approximately $111.2 million.
So the question remains: Where is all the tax money going and why is the public still not getting straight answers?
Rumor has it the “registration fee” form Lsta for mandated bussing will go up $50. Good that shud cover a large percentage
ReplyDeleteIt actually is already $95 a child...parent from Jackson. we live at edge of Lakewood/Jackson border.
DeleteSome vendors haven't been paid and lots of money is owed loans have to be repaid and the cash gotta flow in somehow
ReplyDeleteIf this is essentially a tax levy we deserve transparency. If this is for profit let's have competition...
ReplyDeleteKeep voting for the same corrupt politicians keep getting the same results
ReplyDeleteEverybody commit to changing a dozen people. Staying home isn't enough!
DeleteEveryone show up at the next township meeting to protest, oh right, there's no in-person township meetings, it's been 6 years since the last in-person meeting.
ReplyDeleteEveryone show up on election and vote the bums out.
https://www.lakewoodnj.gov/images/db/u-1-7501-2025-Certified-Township-Budget.pdf
ReplyDeleteThese crooked corrupt people collected almost $300 million dollars in taxes and are having a hard time finding money for simple bussing
They should not be given entry to any shul in Lakewood
Make them walk to yeshiva if they can find refuge there
If we are paying a one-time fee it's one thing but if we are paying that much we should have the option to pay month by month automatic billing on a credit card. What's really happening is they get all the money up front they can invest it and then pay the bus companies weekly or monthly free 4% on 30 million dollars goes a long way
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is the mission of the LSTA if they are receiving no governmental funds for courtesy busing? Wouldn't it be cheaper if the actual schools contracted out the busing as it is vendors pick up Roots school by school and you would save on"administrative costs" and high salaries? We would also have who to talk to if we had a problem with the busing routes etc
ReplyDeletePretty silly. Im not defending the Lsta in any way. But each school would have to hire new staff to deal with the busing and tge cost fir each school would he astronomical to get the buses. It would cost so much that everybody woukd wish the LSTA were back.
ReplyDeleteWhat does "deal with the busing" mean? It's not like the lsta even has a customer service and it's not like every single school is not busy with the route regardless every School would wrap the cost into tuition so there's no extra billing the same software used to design the route can be used by the school it's only a matter of bidding in the beginning of the year and in any case the school won't be paying whoever they have to hire such large salaries
ReplyDelete