District 18 Assemblymen Sterley Stanley and Rob Karabinchak are facing growing criticism as their hometown school districts in Edison and East Brunswick suffer cuts to state school aid, a situation that could have serious political consequences for both lawmakers, who are both up for reelection this year. The two districts are facing significant reductions in funding, while their neighboring towns of Metuchen and South Plainfield have seen an increase. Critics are questioning why Stanley and Karabinchak have failed to secure more equitable funding for their own communities, raising concerns about their political futures.
Edison Township Public Schools will see a 3% decrease in state aid, amounting to a loss of over $2.8 million, bringing their total funding down to $91.5 million from $94.4 million last year. The funding cut is expected to have a serious impact on the district’s programs, staff, and overall educational resources. Local education advocates are voicing their frustration, pointing to the lack of action from Stanley and Karabinchak in protecting Edison’s financial interests. “Edison’s schools are getting hit hard, and our representatives aren’t doing enough to fight for us,” said former Councilwoman Joyce Ship-Freeman. “This is the kind of leadership that will hurt them come election time.”
East Brunswick Public Schools are also facing a 3% cut, amounting to over $1.1 million in reduced funding. The district’s allocation will now be $37.35 million, down from $38.5 million last year. This comes on the heals of last years reduction in funding of 3.32% which amounted to $1.32 million cut which lead to the district cutting 50 jobs including the very popular Assistant Superintendent Dr. Louis Figueroa. Dr. Figueroa lead a slate of four newcomers to win seats on the Board of Education last November after his position was eliminated.
With both Edison and East Brunswick experiencing significant financial strain, the question is why their elected officials haven’t done more to prevent these cuts. As Stanley and Karabinchak seek to maintain their positions in the upcoming elections, their failure to secure adequate funding for their districts has raised concerns about their effectiveness as lawmakers.
“The state’s decision to cut East Brunswick and Edison’s school funding by 3% while increasing aid to Metuchen and South Plainfield by 6% raises serious questions. Is this purely financial, or is there political maneuvering at play? It’s no secret that the towns receiving more aid have political heavyweights backing them” said East Brunswick resident Neal Shah. “Meanwhile, the message being sent to districts like East Brunswick—long recognized for academic excellence—is that striving for greatness is no longer rewarded. Instead of lifting struggling schools up, they’re bringing top-performing schools down.”
While Edison and East Brunswick struggle with cuts, a noticeable discrepancy has emerged: Metuchen, which falls within the same legislative district and is hometown to Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe is receiving a 6% increase in state aid. South Plainfield, which also falls in the same legislative district and is hometown to State Senator Pat Diegnan is also receiving a 6% increase in state aid. The increase of nearly $725,000 in Metuchen and and nearly $770,000 in South Plainfield has raised eyebrows, as it contrasts sharply with the reductions facing their neighboring districts.
Critics are pointing out that while Stanley and Karabinchak’s districts are left to fend for themselves, Metuchen and South Plainfield appear to have been prioritized for extra funding. The timing of these cuts and increases, as the two lawmakers approach reelection, has only heightened suspicions about their ability to advocate for their communities.
For Stanley and Karabinchak, who are both seeking reelection, this funding disparity could prove problematic. Voters in Edison and East Brunswick are likely to hold their representatives accountable for the financial struggles that their schools now face. In particular, the 3% cuts—totaling millions in lost funding—could be seen as a failure to effectively advocate for the districts they represent. As election day draws nearer, Stanley and Karabinchak may find that their handling of this issue becomes a major point of contention in their campaigns.
Both lawmakers are facing criticism for failing to secure crucial funding for their communities, with many residents raising concerns about their dedication to local schools. As school officials in Edison and East Brunswick work to address the funding cuts in the coming weeks, Stanley and Karabinchak will likely face mounting pressure to demonstrate to their constituents that they are advocating for their best interests—an issue that could play a significant role in their upcoming reelection campaigns.
