TRENTON — The state would restore, on average, a fifth of slashed state aid for school districts under Gov. Chris Christie’s budget proposal, while towns would receive the exact amount of state aid as last year, according to data released Wednesday. Most school districts would receive about 20 percent of the aid that was cut last year. But the...
TRENTON — The state would restore, on average, a fifth of slashed state aid for school districts under Gov. Chris Christie’s budget proposal, while towns would receive the exact amount of state aid as last year, according to data released Wednesday.
Most school districts would receive about 20 percent of the aid that was cut last year. But the numbers range from districts like Red Bank, which would get back 93 percent of its cut aid, to districts such as New Brunswick, which would be awarded about 17 percent. One district, Washington Township in Burlington County, would get no increase.
In total, Christie plans to restore $250 million in school funding, after cutting about $820 million last year.
"Last year, our state faced severe fiscal challenges, and we had to make some very difficult choices. Reductions to education funding were among the most agonizing of those choices," Christie said. "Because of the foundation we set ... New Jersey is on firmer footing and we are able to put more funding into classrooms throughout New Jersey."
Suburban districts that lost most or all of their state aid got the highest percentage increases, but the aid still lags from two years ago.
"Last year, Governor Christie’s budget decimated New Jersey’s suburban school districts. This year he continues this policy," said Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex). "For a second year, the state’s middle-class families and suburban school districts bear the brunt of the governor’s budget."
Towns, meanwhile, would receive the same amount of state funding, as Christie promised in his budget address Tuesday. Newark would get the most state aid, at about $91 million, followed by Jersey City, $64 million; Camden $47 million; Trenton $44 million; and Paterson $33 million .
The $1.3 billion awarded does not include $149 million in transitional aid for struggling municipalities, to be allocated later.
Bill Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, said he is relieved there were no cuts for towns, but called on state lawmakers to reform health benefit and pension costs that are burdening municipalities.
By Megan DeMarco and Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau staff
⇒ To view school aid, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/education/stateaid/1112/
⇒ To view town aid, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/muniaid/aidmenu.shtml
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Previous coverage:
• N.J. municipalities are awarded same aid amounts as last year
• N.J. education officials continue to worry despite Christie's proposed increase of school aid
• Gov. Christie to beef up state aid for schools by $250M, sources say
• Christie says his proposed budget represents 'new normal' of not blindly funding commitments