P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:        Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org)                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                        Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
                        (609) 278-5202

Budget Watch
$300 Million More for Non-Abbott Districts

Trenton, Feb. 21 2007 - Gov. Jon S. Corzine will propose an increase of $300 million in aid to non-Abbott districts for 2007-2008, the state education commissioner told officials of NJSBA and other school organizations today.

According to Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy, the $300 million increase in aid to non-Abbott districts would include

• 3 Percent Increase All districts would receive a 3 percent increase over the total amount of state aid they received last year.



• At-risk Aid A new program would provide additional aid to non-Abbott districts with high concentrations of at-risk children. Students at risk would be determined by family income. However, Davy said that the typical standard used to identify low-income pupils eligibility for federally funded free or reduced-price lunch may be broadened due to New Jerseys high cost of living. She did not indicate the proportion of at-risk students that a district would need to enroll in order to qualify for the funds.

Districts would have to target at-risk aid to specific programs, including expansion of pre-school programs, full-day Kindergarten, and K-8 literacy programs, said Davy.

• Full-day Kindergarten Corzine will also recommend additional state money for school districts that currently operate full-day Kindergarten programs. Up to now, state aid for non-Abbott districts has been based on the operation of half-day Kindergarten, whether or not the district runs a full-day program. NJSBA strongly supports funding of full-day Kindergarten.

Release of Aid Figures The governor is scheduled to deliver his budget address tomorrow, Feb. 22. Davy said that school districts will receive their 2007-2008 state aid figures no later than the end of the day on Monday, Feb. 26.

On Wednesday, the state Department of Education posted 2007-2008 budget development materials for local school districts.

Abbott Funding Aid to Abbott school districts would increase by 3 percent, according to the commissioner. Distribution of the increase has yet to be determined.

The governor will also recommend approximately $270 million more for the teachers pension fund, social security payments and retiree health benefits.

NJSBA: Right Direction Governor Corzine has addressed the fact that non-Abbott districts need additional dollars after five years of stagnant funding, said Edwina M. Lee, NJSBA executive director. He also recognizes the educational needs of low-income pupils who live outside of Abbott communities.

We will not know the full story until school districts receive their individual state aid figures. However, it appears that the governors proposal for state aid may be a step in the right direction.

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The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of district boards of education, advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.