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Challenging school funding
(by Karen F. Mrnarevic - February 27, 2008)
A committee composed of the Montvale and Woodcliff Lake mayors Roger Fyfe and Joe LaPaglia, and some council members from each town, has decided to move forward with putting together a plan to address the matter of the state’s formula for regional school funding. The two boroughs have authorized the retention of a lawyer to explore how they might obtain greater equity in how much each sending town contributes toward the regional high schools.
According to LaPaglia, the regional school funding formula, which is largely based on each sending town’s total ratable base, puts an unfair and disproportionate burden on Montvale and Woodcliff Lake while Hillsdale and River Vale residents pay less per student. “I was the one who started pushing the issue in 2004. … At that time, most of the council didn’t even realize that Woodcliff Lake pays more [per student],” said LaPaglia, who believes that the growth of commercial properties in Woodcliff Lake and Montvale has been the main factor contributing to their having to contribute more per student.
LaPaglia said that last year, Woodcliff Lake paid approximately $24,000 for each student it sent to the regional high school. Montvale, he said, paid around the same amount, while Hillsdale paid approximately $12,000 per student and River Vale paid $14,000 per student. “If Woodcliff Lake were treated equitably, and paying an equal share, the town would save $1.6 million per year,” he said.
Vito A. Gagliardi, a principal at the Morristown-based law firm Porzio, Bromberg and Newman P.C., with whom the committee has entered into discussion, has fought before on behalf of towns seeking greater equity in the school funding formula, and those trying to withdraw from regional school systems.
LaPaglia said that the decision to consult with a lawyer does not mean that the town is planning on taking legal action any time soon. “You can’t just sue the school board,” he said, adding that the boroughs would have to appeal to the county superintendent and provide a plan.
According to Woodcliff Lake Councilman Jeff Bader, another member of the committee, “We gave the green light [to begin the study]. … There is a process here, and if we don’t follow the process, we aren’t going to get anywhere.”
Although LaPaglia said that Montvale and Woodcliff Lake do not have a defined course of action yet, he offered one option they might explore. He suggested that Montvale and Woodcliff Lake split off from River Vale and Hillsdale, allowing the creation of two separate k-12 school districts, with Montvale and Woodcliff Lake students attending Pascack Hills High School, and River Vale and Hillsdale students attending Pascack Valley High School. Presumably, said Lapaglia, “There would be substantial savings in combining the districts. … This is the real way to deal with the equity issue because the ratable base and student populations [in each pair of towns]. … are so similar.”
LaPaglia is prepared to devote a lot of time and energy to this issue, which he has said will be one of the focuses of his second term as mayor. “This is the biggest issue in real taxpayer relief that I think exists,” said LaPaglia.
He recognizes that the idea of rearranging the school districts will be unsettling to some, calling the issue “the third rail of municipal politics.” But he insists that the issue is one that needs to be addressed for the sake of Montvale and Woodcliff Lake taxpayers.
Karen F. Mrnarevic's e-mail address is Mrnarevic@northjersey.com.
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