The JACKSON Times Vol. 21 - No. 49
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Community Invited To Say Farewell To Christa McAuliffe Middle School
HelloJune BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 10-11
Inside The Law
Photos courtesy Jackson Schools (Above) The front lobby of the Christa McAuliffe Middle School displays a famous quote by the teacher the school was named after. (Left)A time capsule marker is one of many artifacts of the Christa McAuliffe Middle School that will soon be closed for budgetary reasons.
Pages 16
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 17
Classifieds Page 21
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – The school district is inviting all current and former students, families, staff, and community members to a special event to honor
the Christa A. McAuliffe Middle School as it prepares to close at the end of this school year. The “Honoring McAuliffe” event will be held on
Small Town Feel, Downtown Discussed By Candidates
By Bob Vosseller PLUMSTED – As the June 10 primary election comes close, T he Jack son Times continues its coverage of the candidates. Due to length, an article that appeared last week focused on the two political newcomers who are seeking a
three-year seat on the dais. This article will focus on candidates Rober t Bowen who is serving as mayor this year and Michael Hammerstone who was defeated in last year’s primary and is seeking to reclaim his committee seat. Bowen is r unning
(Farewell - See Page 4)
with Theodore Gar- contacted by The Jackr ig a n a . T hey we r e son Times in relation to endorsed by the Re- their reasons for runpublicans for Plum- ning, their background sted. Ham merstone a nd t hei r t houg ht s is r unning with Se- on how they feel the bastian D’Amico and dow ntow n business they were endorsed district and the Plumby the Ocean County sted Township MunicRegular Republican ipal Utility Authority organization. could be improved. Each candidate was (Candidates - See Page 5)
June 7, 2025
School Budget Includes Tax Increase, Staff Reduction
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – The school district has been plagued by state aid cuts for the last seven years, forcing consolidation and closure of schools and a reduction of school staff. This year saw a tax increase and more job losses with its adopted budget. For the average assessed property in Jackson which is $652,896, there will be an increase of $227 per year or $18.91 per month. The spending plan also includes nearly 100 staff reductions for the 2025-2026 school year. There were 24 non-renewals and 75 through attrition or resignations. They are 48 certified positions, 45 non-certified positions and six positions outside of the general fund (grant funded/
enterprise funds). The staff reductions include members of the administration, teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, nurses, security, receptionists, custodians, food service and van aides. Since the 2019-2020 school year where 23 positions were cut, staff reductions continued over that six-year period with 49, 40, 31, 72 and last year which lost 70 positions. It was noted in a PowerPoint presentation made during a Board of Education meeting designed to explain the budget that the closing of the McAuliffe Middle School and the combining of the district’s high schools and middle schools has created significant savings for school (Budget - See Page 12)
Fate Of Jackson Food Pantry Still A Mystery
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – The township’s food pantry is still operating but a June 10 deadline is fast approaching to have it relocated from its current location at the Jackson Senior Center on Don Connor Bou-
levard to a new facility. The issue was discussed at a recent Township Council meeting. Council President Jennifer Kuhn noted misinformation being spread on Jackson oriented social media sites and said Mayor Michael Reina
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE
ADVERTISE IN THE JACKSON TIMES! CALL 732.657.7344
had blamed the council for a “decision that only the administration has the authority to make.” She stressed that “we as a council do not have the power to relocate or shut down (Pantry - See Page 4)