Petition to Protect Colts Neck Schools, Taxpayers, and Community Stability

To the Residents of Colts Neck and Concerned Citizens of New Jersey:

We, the undersigned residents of Colts Neck, come together with a shared concern for the future of our schools, our community, and the financial well-being of our families.

Across New Jersey, warning signs are no longer theoretical. They are happening now.

Within just the past two weeks:

- Three schools have closed in Middletown

- One school has closed in Montclair

These are not struggling towns. These are established communities now facing the consequences of unsustainable policy decisions.

Colts Neck is next in line unless we act.

What Is Happening in Colts Neck

- State Funding Cuts:

Colts Neck is losing $185,000 in school funding, representing the highest percentage reduction in the entire state under the current funding formula.

- State-Mandated Overdevelopment:

The state is requiring 875+ new housing units, on top of the 375 units already built.

- School Overcrowding:

These mandates are projected to bring approximately 450 additional students, pushing our schools beyond capacity and straining resources, staff, and infrastructure.

- Rising Tax Burden:

Over the past seven years, local taxes have nearly doubled, placing increasing pressure on residents while services face uncertainty.

Why This Matters

Colts Neck has long been defined by:

- Strong schools

- Responsible planning

- A community-first approach

These policies threaten all three.

We are being asked to:

- Accept less funding

- Support more students

- Pay higher taxes

That is not a sustainable equation. Even the best math student in the district would flag that one.

Our Position

We are not opposed to growth.

We are not opposed to fairness.

But we are opposed to policies that:

- Overcrowd our schools

- Undermine local planning

- Shift disproportionate financial burdens onto our residents

Our Request

We respectfully call on state leaders to:

1. Reevaluate the current school funding formula to ensure fairness and sustainability

2. Pause or adjust housing mandates until infrastructure and school capacity can responsibly support growth

3. Protect high-performing districts from disproportionate funding losses

4. Engage local communities in decisions that directly impact their schools and taxes

Call to Action

By signing this petition, you are standing up for:

- The future of Colts Neck and NJ students

- The integrity of our schools

- The financial stability of our community

We are not asking for special treatment.

We are asking for common sense, balance, and accountability.