Though districts will receive $250M more this year than they received last year, the formula is still underfunded by $1.7B, according to the analysis Watch video
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Children in the 4-year-old summer preschool at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center in Union City put away blocks with teacher Juana Chapman, right, in this July 2010 file photo. Plugging more money into the state’s school funding formula would lower the amount of aid sent to New Jersey’s largest, poorest districts, according to an analysis of the Department of Education’s budget.TRENTON — Plugging more money into the state’s school funding formula would lower the amount of aid sent to New Jersey’s largest, poorest districts, according to an analysis of the Department of Education’s budget.
Under the proposed budget, 56.4 percent of the $7 billion allocated for state aid will go to these districts, known as former Abbott districts, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services’ analysis said.
But if the formula is funded fully for fiscal year 2011-12, that percentage would drop to 50.9 percent, suggesting to at least one legislator that not all of the state’s at-risk children, who cost the most to educate, are stuck in failing urban districts as Gov. Chris Christie often argues.
The analysis was made available at an Assembly Budget Committee hearing.
Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) said the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 was designed so money would follow the state’s neediest children, no matter where they live or which schools they attend.
"I don’t represent any former Abbott districts, but I know I have these kids in my district," said Greenwald, who represents wealthy New Jersey suburbs like Voorhees and Cherry Hill. "I know they succeed when the formula is in place."
Greenwald chided acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf, who testified before the committee, for proposing another Department of Education budget that fails to fund the formula fully. Though districts will receive $250 million more this year than they received last year, the formula is still underfunded by $1.7 billion, according to the analysis.
The state Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of Christie’s decision to cut $1 billion in school aid from the fiscal 2010-2011 budget.
The Education Law Center, which brought the suit, argues the cuts violated the state’s obligation to provide a "thorough and efficient" education to poor children.
During today’s hearing, Cerf advocated the state’s position — that New Jersey’s desperate financial situation made it impossible to fully fund the formula. The same argument stands for this year, Cerf said.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie says extra aid to 31 of N.J.'s poorest school districts is driving up taxes
• N.J. lawyers, advocates for poor students gear up for N.J. Supreme Court hearing on school funding
• N.J. treasurer lists range of cuts if Supreme Court rules against Christie in schools funding case
• N.J. battle intensifies over funding for themed charter schools
• N.J. teachers, labor leaders, parents argue for more education funding at Assembly budget hearing
• N.J. authority reveals approval process for $500M in construction projects at 10 schools