By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Evesham K-8 School District and the Lenape Regional High School District received some unexpected news today, as Gov. Chris Christie announced millions more in school state aid for the 2012 fiscal year budget.
The Christie administration announced today the allocation plan for $850 million in new aid authorized for New Jersey schools in the fiscal year 2012 budget. This includes the initial $250 million increase for all school districts, as well as an additional $450 million for the Abbott districts, and an additional $150 million for non-Abbott districts.
“This year, New Jersey increased state aid to school districts by $850 million over last year, restoring every dollar of the cuts we were forced to make last year and increasing aid by an additional $30 million. We are keeping faith with our commitment to New Jersey’s children and families, spending more money per pupil on New Jersey’s students than almost any other state in the country,” Christie said. “Now is the time to complement the dollars spent with real education reform to bring a focus on student learning, accountability and results.”
The Lenape Regional High School District received an increase of about $1.3 million more from is 2011–2012 initial total of $25.8 million. The Evesham K-8 School District received an increase of about $718,000 over its 2011–2012 total of $12.2 million.
Stay tuned for more information and for comments from school district leaders.
