#EVENT - MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - Local officials are set to meet on 2/25/26 @ 12pm LIVE ON AIR to discuss the budget crisis that Jefferson TWP faces. WRNJ Radio will AIR a Special LIVE program hosted by RNJ News Director Joyce Estey joined by Jefferson TWP Public Schools’ Superintendent Jeanne Howe, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Ben Spinelli the Executive Director of New Jersey Highlands Water Protection & Planning Council, & Senator Bucco. This hour-long talk program will be available via 104.7, 105.7, 92.7 FM, 1510 AM, WRNJ.com, & the WRNJ mobile app. The program will be archived on the radio station’s website. Leaders will discuss the 2004 Highlands Act & the 2018 S2 School Funding Formula among other economic factors that may have contributed to the expected $4.8M deficit. Jefferson TWP has lost close to $50M in state-aid since 2018. Their student enrollment has dropped, staff has been reduced, & programs have already seen cuts. The Falcons are not the only community to be affected & at the same time those from Oak Ridge to Lake Hopatcong are facing unimaginable educational financial issues that may cause even more slashes to their sports programs, staff, faculty, & other activities/clubs. Jefferson TWP’s other two options are to let the state take over or increase taxes - all 3 options are risky according to public figures. Cutting sports will force families to go 'out of town' for sports, decreasing enrollment, possibly even costing the district in transportation funds for that student if the parents remain in Jefferson TWP. Letting the state take over could cost the town even more fiscally plus there is little to no control for local administrators after the take over. Increasing taxes is not welcomed by locals. The Fasano Family has put forth efforts to gather local taxpayers, parents, educators, officials, media outlets, coaches & administrators to find a solution for the Falcons before time is up via their campaign Highlands Impact Aid Now! There have been 2 official public gatherings in Jefferson TWP that brought much needed attention to the budget crisis with a third event set for 3/7/26 @ 1pm. The Governor of NJ is set to address education budgets sometime in March of 2026. Superintendent Jeanne Howe & Mayor of Jefferson TWP Eric Wilsusen were seen on social media visiting Trenton on 2/19/26 submitting written testimony to reinforce the hundreds of letters sent by other Falcons earlier in the month of February. The Falcons can only hope all of their efforts will be heard by those who can allow financial assistance for the Morris County School District.
