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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 State Releases Aid Numbers Trenton, Feb. 28 2007 - The state Department of Education released 2007-2008 state aid figures to local school districts on Monday. The total increase in state aid, including money for teacher pensions, Social Security and post-retirement medical benefits, is $579.1 million. Of that amount, more than $300 million represents an increase in direct aid for non-Abbott school districts. Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy characterized the proposed aid as very positive news for many districts. The proposed $300 million increase in direct state aid represents the largest increase since 2001-2002, she said. New Aid for Non-Abbotts For 2007-2008, every non-Abbott districts will receive at least a 3 percent increase in state aid. Additionally, a new aid category, Targeted At-Risk Aid, will provide funds to 217 non-Abbott districts that have high concentrations of low-income students. Districts where 15 percent to 20 percent of schoolchildren qualify for free or reduced-price lunch will receive $250 for each of their low-income pupils. In districts where more than 20 percent of the students receive free or reduced-price lunch, the state will provide $500 per low-income pupil. Targeted at-risk aid must be used for programs designed to close the academic achievement gap, such as K-8 literacy programs, preschool and/or full-day kindergarten. Early Childhood Funds The state would also provide $26 million to 185 non-Abbott districts that currently have full-day kindergarten. Up to now, state aid for non-Abbott districts has been based on the operation of half-day kindergarten, whether or not the districts run full-day programs. NJSBA strongly supports funding of full-day kindergarten. Davy also announced that the state would establish a $10 million grant program to expand and improve the quality of existing pre-school programs in non-Abbott districts. Improvements would reflect standards already required of pre-school in Abbott communities, including employment of fully certified teachers and teacher aides with associates degrees, as well as academic curricula. Abbott Aid According to the commissioner, the funding plan would guarantee spending parity in the 31 Abbott districts. The state Supreme Courts decision in Abbott directed the state to ensure that spending per pupil for regular education in the 31 Abbott school districts is on par with that of the states wealthiest communities. To help maintain parity, the state will increase Education Opportunity Aid by 3 percent. Allocations to individual Abbott districts will be determined as the state reviews their budgets, Davy said. However, the state would also require 16 of the Abbott districts to increase local property tax levies to make up for small cuts in state aid and maintain parity, according to a report in The Star-Ledger. The Abbott districts will also receive a $3.2 million increase in Pre-School Expansion Aid. Budget Timelines Local school districts must submit their preliminary budgets to the county offices of education by March 13. NJSBA has posted the 2007 School Election and Budget Calendar online, and the New Jersey Department of Education has posted individual district state aid figures online.
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