Did You Know?
FACTS ABOUT THE ASBURY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
POOR BUDGET MANAGEMENT
The 2025-26 budget, which passed on a 5-4 vote, raised the local Asbury Park share of the budget by over $11 million. This results in a $1500/year tax increase on a $635,000 assessed property.
This local amount was $3 million above what the State budgeting formula projected.
This budget included NO significant budget cuts.
Tracy Rogers and Michael Penna voted “YES” for this budget!
Barbara Lesinski voted “NO” against this budget.
PERSONNEL FIASCO
The District has been paying TWO superintendents almost $500,000 per year since February, 2024. How long will this continue?
Board Member Michael Penna voted “YES” to suspend one superintendent and give the second one an almost $30,000 raise.
Five lawsuits filed in 2024-25 over personnel decisions.
STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
No measurable District goals established the past 2 years with any clear action plan to improve student academic performance.
Students remain well below grade level in English/Language Arts and Math.
ENROLLMENT LOSSES
Enrollment in Asbury Park schools has decreased by over 280 students in the past 3 years.
The cost per student has averaged over $36,000 in the past two years.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT:
Fiscal responsibility
Budgeting focused on learning
Clear and honest communication to the community