April 2, 2026
Dear Members of the Collingswood Community,
During our March meeting, the Board of Education approved a balanced budget designed to address our $3.3 million funding gap. On March 30th, district leaders hosted a meeting for Garfield families, where concerns were shared, and numerous questions were addressed.
This funding gap is the result of continued underfunding over many years, combined with increases in overhead costs, including health care and other fixed operational expenses.
Many have asked how they can help. We are here to focus on solutions. Together, we can unite and demand increased investment in the Collingswood School District from state, county, and borough leadership. Key actions to support our district include:
● Community Outreach: Speak up to ensure that Collingswood receives its fair share of school funding:
o Contact Your Local and State Legislators
o Send Letters Advocating for Fair Funding
o Engage the Borough leadership team to consider ways we can all work together with the District to address gaps in local school funding.
● Community Support: Welcome families whose students will transition to new schools for the 2026-2027 school year by including them in upcoming spring events and year-end activities.
The district has posted a detailed Budget Presentation and FAQs to guide your advocacy efforts.
Without real change at the state level, we will continue to face extremely difficult decisions. We are asking our community to help us advocate at the state and local levels.
This financial challenge doesn’t just affect Garfield. It affects all our students, our staff, and our community. As a school board, we are listening to your concerns and care deeply about our students, our schools, and our community. We are also working alongside others, such as Bridge the Gap Colls and NJ Fair Funding Collective, to consolidate our advocacy efforts.
Our board and our district leadership team remain dedicated to supporting our students and staff through this transition with stability and care. We will continue to communicate openly as we navigate the path forward—together.
We thank you for your continued dedication to our schools. Your passion and engagement define Collingswood. We share your commitment to our students and will continue to listen and collaborate as we work together for our schools.
For your reference, here are some key important dates:
Key Relevant Dates:
● March 27: Budget Submission
● April 15: Board of Education Roundtable at the Collingswood Library
● April 21: Board Committee of the Whole
● April 29: Public Budget Hearing
● May 15: Deadline for issuing employee contracts.
● July 1: 2026-2027 Budget Opens
With care,
Kelly Maia, President
Zakiya Devine, Vice President
Collingswood Board of Education