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

NJSBA Comments on Proposed State Budget

TRENTON, February 22, 2011 —Governor Christie today proposed a $29.4 billion state budget that avoids a repeat of last year’s school funding cuts, while providing the majority of school districts with increased aid.

“State school aid not only helps districts provide adequate educational programming, it also is a form of property tax relief,” said Marie S. Bilik, New Jersey School Boards Association executive director. “NJSBA recognizes the continued financial challenges facing our state. In light of these difficulties, we are relieved that Governor Christie did not find it necessary to recommend further reductions in school funding.”

She continued, “Local school boards will be doing their part this year in constructing budgets that meet state and local educational goals, while complying with the new state-imposed 2 percent tax levy cap and limited state funding. During the Legislature’s budget deliberation process, NJSBA will advocate for restoration of additional school funding.”

Christie’s proposal, announced in his Annual Budget Message to the state Legislature today, would increase state aid to regular public school districts by $219 million. Last year, school districts experienced an $820 million cut in state funding. In most cases, the cuts were equivalent to 5 percent of each school district’s operating budget. The reductions followed a $460 million mid-year reduction in 2009-2010, which generally consisted of eliminating school district excess surplus.

Breakdown During a telephone conference prior to the governor’s budget message, Acting Commissioner of Education Christopher D. Cerf provided executive county superintendents and representatives of education organizations with an overview of the proposed budget.

• Approximately $250 million in additional aid will be provided to Kindergarten-through-12^th grade education in 2011-2012.  The additional funds will be allocated as follows:
  • $219 million distributed as formula aid to regular public school districts, with the money aimed at restoring last year’s funding reductions.
  • Additional aid for charter school expansion and the Interdistrict School Choice Program.
• Abbott pre-school programs will experience no reduction in state aid.
• Non-public school aid (transportation and textbooks) will remain at current levels.
• Extraordinary cost special education aid will increase by approximately $7.7 million.

Details to come Under state law, school districts must receive notice of their state aid allocations within two days of the governor’s budget address. Cerf indicated that the figures will be posted on the state Department of Education’s website within the next 48 hours. The individual state aid reports will provide details of the proposed budget’s impact on school district revenue.

The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 588 local boards of education and includes 44 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.