By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Moorestown Township 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.”
Moorestown Township will reportedly receive an increase of about $618,00 over its 2011–2012 state aid total. Board of Education President Don Mishler said there are restraints on what the district can use the funding for and can’t use the additional monies until 2012–2013.
It’s unanticipated revenue, Mishler said, and can only be used for school property tax relief.
Stay tuned for more information.
