NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
(609) 278-5202
Proposed State Budget Is Step in Right Direction - NJSBA
Trenton, Feb. 22 2007 - Edwina M. Lee, New Jersey School Boards Association executive director, today issued the following statement about Gov. Jon S. Corzines Annual Budget Message to the state Legislature.
Property tax relief will not happen without adequate state aid to public education. Governor Corzines proposed $300 million increase in direct state aid to education is at least a step in the right direction. The proposed budget recognizes that schools and property taxpayers in non-Abbott districts need more state assistance, especially after five years of stagnant aid.
"In 2005-2006 alone, state aid to local school districts fell short by $846 million. The shortfalls have been a major cause of property tax increases, according to a study issued by Rutgers-Newark.
"In addition to a 3 percent across-the-board aid increase, the governor's proposal provides funding for the education of low-income students who live outside of Abbott communities.
We are also pleased that the budget recognizes the academic benefit of full-day kindergarten. More than 275 of the states school districts operate full-day kindergarten. Until the governor's budget proposal today, most districts did not receive state support for operating these programs.
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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.
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