The calendar is nearing September. As we scroll through our vacation photos and suddenly realize that dusk is arriving a few minutes sooner each night, we begin to shift our attention from the beach and the barbecue to the books and the bus. Yes, the doors to a new school year are about to open once again, and we are starting to feel that wave of energy and optimism in anticipation of the first day. Students are looking forward to meeting their new teachers and seeing their classmates perhaps for the first time since early June, and the teachers are setting up their classrooms in expectation of their charges for the next 10 months, opening their minds to the wonderment of discovery.

This year, however, there is also a feeling of fear and anxiety in many of our school communities, as the ramifications of looming federal budget cuts and the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education remain unknown. Earlier this year, the Trump administration proposed the freezing of $7 billion in approved funding nationwide, including over $143 million here in New Jersey, for vital programs such as after-school enrichment and specialized student support. While it was recently announced that these funds would be released, the reprieve is temporary and incomplete, and the negative effects of being held hostage will be felt by the educational community into the future. Each time the federal government threatens to cut or withhold funding, anxiety spikes, planning and scheduling at the district and individual school level become a series of contingencies, and the individuals tasked with leading and delivering high-quality instruction are left to navigate growing instability.

While the funding for most New Jersey school services is derived from local or state sources, federal funding provides for many critical services that help districts support economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, students with disabilities, and migrant families and provides professional learning opportunities to ensure that teachers and administrators continue to develop their craft and integrate best practices. These programs represent a shared national commitment to equity in education that ensures that all students, regardless of zip code, language spoken at home, disabilities, or family income level, have access and opportunity to thrive.

We in the educational community breathed a sigh of relief as the funds for these programs were unfrozen, but the air remains thick and our future unsettled. The rhetoric from Washington suggests that these programs and services are undervalued, and the probability of annual fights to preserve their funding seems inevitable, beginning with the budget battle for fiscal year 2026 on the horizon this fall. The uncertainty surrounding the future makes it difficult for school leaders to prepare for the long term.

At the state level, school budget allocation for the coming year is overall larger than the last. That being said, Governor Murphy’s plan will see 175 districts experience reductions in state aid for coming school year. Clearly, education priorities will play a critical role in the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey. If block grants replace direct federal funding for many of the important education programs that are currently under threat, it will become even more important for voters to consider where each candidate stands on these issues. The new governor will have an increased say in whether and to what extent these programs can continue in our schools, as he or she will dictate where and how those funds from these block grants are distributed, and some vital services could be completely unfunded as a result. The potential for partisan politics to infiltrate the system is too large to ignore.

All of this uncertainty has taken a serious toll on morale at all levels of the education community, including superintendents, principals, assistant principals, supervisors, directors, counselors, and teachers across New Jersey. The high-stakes pressure of leading schools during a time of political and financial instability is one of the scores of factors pushing so many out of the profession, with thousands either changing careers or retiring well before retirement age.

Perhaps even more alarming, colleges and universities are reporting a significant decrease in the number of students seeking degrees in education and graduating with the necessary certification to become the next generation of educators and educational leaders. Fewer qualified teachers entering the field, coupled with too many of our best educators leaving the profession, will have rippling negative effects that could potentially lead to lower student outcomes. This could lead to larger class sizes and reduced services for those who need it most, such as students with special needs or those in need of mental health support. It also will result in fewer qualified candidates eventually taking on leadership positions in our schools in the coming years.

Despite these many challenges, New Jersey’s school professionals remain fully committed, fully engaged, and fully focused on student success. This commitment is one of the reasons New Jersey was recently ranked as the top state in the nation for education. Our schools excel because our school leaders put students first and refuse to be deterred by what may be happening in Washington. As we begin a new school year, families can be assured that their children will continue to receive an exceptional education.

The key to our future will be to ensure that this commitment to excellence is shared by our leaders in our government. Organizations like the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), along with its national affiliates NAESP and NASSP, have been actively working to raise awareness of the risks and to mobilize support to protect education funding. We pledge to continue our fierce advocacy efforts on behalf of our students, educators, and parents so that the administration and our representatives understand what is at stake as they make critical decisions that affect the hopes and dreams of our children.