Gov. Jon S. Corzine proposed 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 on Wednesday.

According to Commissioner of Education Lucille E. 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 Jersey’s 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 the 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 delivered his budget address on Thursday, Feb. 22. Davy said that school districts will receive their 2007-2008 state aid figures no later than the end of the day, Monday, Feb. 26.

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 students who live outside of Abbott communities.