School Funding and District Budget

Jersey City Public Schools

 

District Budget Information

 

The Jersey City Public Schools district is dedicated to providing a high-quality, inclusive education that empowers every student to reach their full potential and become a global citizen. Our mission is centered on Superintendent Dr. Fernandez’s "Go for the Gold&" initiative, a call to action for every student and educator to strive for the highest standards of academic achievement and personal growth. This budget is designed to meet the constitutional mandate of providing a thorough and efficient education, directing resources toward instructional innovation and essential support services that foster a safe and vibrant learning environment, ensuring our entire district is positioned for gold-medal success.

 

The Jersey City Public Schools Business Office is deeply committed to fiscal transparency and ensuring our community has a clear voice in the district’s financial planning. We believe that an informed public is essential to a successful budget process; therefore, we provide multiple avenues for parents, staff, and residents to engage with us and ask critical questions.

On March 26, 2026, the Board of Education voted to adopt a preliminary plan to support a general fund budget for the 2026-2027 school year of $1,096,541,152.00. This plan includes:

 Local Tax Levy: $545,175,855
 Bank Cap: $80,128,833
 Total Tax Support: $625,304,688.00

 

The approved budget is a strategic investment in our district's infrastructure and academic future.

It specifically supports:
 Enrollment growth and student achievement.
 Competitive salaries and benefits for our staff.
 Special education and professional development.
 Maintenance of school facilities and related insurances.
 Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
 General administration and daily operations.

 

Upcoming Public Hearing and Final Adoption
 Public Hearing: The Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing on the general fund budget on April 30, 2026.
 Final Vote: The Jersey City Board of Education will vote to formally adopt the 2026- 2027 budget at its meeting on April 30, 2026.

 

Past Year Budgets

 

JCPS Funding Review by the Superintendent (2025)   JCBOE Budget Presentation 2025-2026   JCBOE Budget Presentation 2024-2025   Video of the Budget Townhall (2024)   JCBOE Budget Presentation 2023-2024   JCBOE Budget Presentation 2022-2023   JCBOE Budget Presentation 2021-2022

 

Although the Jersey City Public Schools is often attacked for the level of state funding received by the school district, the fact is the district is actually underfunded. Please take the time to read the case study on Jersey City's School Aid by the Educational Law Center to better understand the challenges the District faces.