The bill would provide enough money to save 3,900 teaching jobs in N.J.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno with Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. President Steven Sweeney in this July 2010 file photo.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie will apply for $268 million in federal education aid passed today by Congress that would provide enough money to save an estimated 3,900 teaching jobs in New Jersey, his spokesman said in a statement.
If the state did not apply for the money, the U.S. Department of Education would have the power to distribute the funds within the state as it sees fit, according to the bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While Gov. Chris Christie believes that using this type of non-recurring funding for operating expenses is ill advised because it will disappear after one year, the governor will apply for the education funding passed by the House today in order to ensure it is managed and distributed to local school districts by the state of New Jersey, and not the federal government," spokesman Michael Drewniak said in a statement. "Guaranteeing New Jersey is in control of these education dollars will ensure that these funds are used by all school districts to help restore some of the federal stimulus funds lost in this year’s difficult budget."
The administration appeared to be wavering about whether it would apply. Last week, Drewniak said the administration "certainly" would accept the funding, but on Monday he said the issue was still undecided.
The money is required to go toward teacher compensation, not administration or extracurricular activities, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today.
The bill also provides $399 million for Medicaid funding for the first half of 2011, which is less than the $579 million the state budgeted for this year. The Christie administration is not going to make adjustments to deal with the $180 million shortfall yet, state Treasury Department spokesman Andrew Pratt said.
“This money doesn’t come until Jan. 1, anyway," he said. "We can continue to work with our Congressional delegation to secure the total amount that was promised to us.”
Previous coverage:
• Christie administration may not apply for $268M U.S. education aid
• Proposed federal stimulus bill would pump $268M into N.J. public education system if approved
• Survey shows more than 80 percent of N.J. public schools to see fewer teachers in September
• N.J. treasurer says schools, municipalities should expect the same level of funding for 2011 budget
• N.J. bill would require parents to pay for students to attend summer school
• N.J. officials cut $140M in additional funds from school budgets
• Gov. Christie says property tax cap could force N.J. town, school district mergers