@Joseph You misunderstood my math. I was discussing busing alone, which would drop significantly. Alternative placement cost (SCHI) would drop as well. The total school budget would jump, probably closer to $18k per child (Toms River is $17k). The local district typically covers 55-58% of that, the state covers about 35-38% more. The rest is federal. Taxes will jump significantly.
My comment about truancy wasn’t a disagreement. It was an opinion. They shouldn’t punish kids who spend longer every day learning than an average public school student.
Finally, they can punish a public school by forcing the state to take over the district. It’s rare, but it happens. And I’m pretty sure Lakewood has been threatened (or at least discussed) for state control. That would not be good.