Judge allows New Brunswick school video; Rutgers raises tuition
A state judge lifted a ban on publishing surveillance footage of a weapon at New Brunswick High School while the university board approved a modest budget increase.
Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Thomas Daniel McCloskey ruled that a local news outlet may republish security camera video showing a student entering New Brunswick High School with a concealed weapon. The July 9 decision largely dismantled an earlier court order that had barred the publication of both the footage and descriptions of the incident.
The dispute began after New Brunswick Today published what it said was surveillance video from May 8 depicting a student bringing a weapon into the school before security screening discovered it. An attorney for the district demanded the editor remove the footage or face legal action, leading to an initial court order that prohibited publication pending further proceedings.
Judge McCloskey vacated the blanket prohibition on future publication of school surveillance footage but imposed strict conditions to protect student privacy. The ruling requires New Brunswick Today to blur or obscure the faces and identifying features of every juvenile shown in the video before releasing it again.
The news outlet must also withhold students' names and other identifying information while submitting the edited version to both the court and counsel for the Board of Education prior to republication. Editor Charlie Kratovil criticized this review requirement, arguing that allowing government officials to vet content before release undermines press freedom protections under New Jersey's shield law.
Press Freedom Concerns Raised by Ruling
The initial order barring publication drew swift condemnation from the New Jersey Press Association, which called it a serious threat to the free press. The group stated that allowing government agencies to use courts to stop news organizations lets those in power shape stories without scrutiny or challenge from reporters on the ground.
Judge McCloskey's final decision lifted restrictions on reporting about the May 8 incident while balancing public interest with the privacy rights of minors involved in school safety matters. This legal outcome sets a precedent for how surveillance footage involving students may be handled by local media outlets in New Jersey moving forward.
Rutgers Board Approves Budget Increase
Separately, Rutgers University's Board of Governors approved a $6.2 billion operating budget that includes a 3% tuition increase for both in-state and out-of-state students for the 2026-27 academic year. The university noted this is its lowest percentage increase in four years despite facing significant financial headwinds across higher education.
For a typical full-time arts and sciences undergraduate from New Jersey, tuition will rise by an average of $448 to reach $15,381 for the upcoming academic year. Mandatory fees are also expected to climb about $117, bringing total mandatory costs closer to $4,009 per student.
Out-of-state students face a larger dollar increase as their tuition and mandatory fees will rise from $39,649 to $40,839 for the same period. Housing and dining expenses are projected to jump 4%, moving from an average of $15,332 to $15,945 annually.
Financial Aid Programs Remain Intact
Rutgers officials emphasized that the budget maintains income-based affordability programs designed to keep education accessible for lower-income families. Through initiatives like the Scarlet Guarantee in New Brunswick and Bridging the Gap in Camden, students with family adjusted gross incomes up to $65,000 will pay no tuition or mandatory fees.
The university reported that nearly 80% of undergraduates received some form of financial aid during the previous academic year. More than 60% of those students qualified for at least one type of need-based assistance while almost 38% were eligible for Federal Pell Grants.
Board Chair Amy L. Towers credited continued support from Governor Sherrill and the State Legislature for enabling expanded financial aid without sacrificing educational quality. The budget allocates over a third of spending to classroom instruction and academic support despite rising costs in utilities, technology, and employee benefits.
Questions residents are asking
Can local news outlets publish school surveillance videos now?
Yes, but only if they blur faces and identifying features of all juveniles shown. The outlet must also withhold names and submit the edited video to the court and school board lawyers before publishing.
How much will Rutgers tuition increase for New Jersey students?
Tuition will rise by an average of $448, bringing total costs from $14,933 to $15,381. Mandatory fees also increase slightly while housing and dining go up 4%.
Do low-income families still get free tuition at Rutgers?
Yes, students with family incomes up to $65,000 pay no tuition or mandatory fees through programs like the Scarlet Guarantee. Nearly 80 percent of undergraduates received some financial aid last year.