By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Evesham K-8 School District and the Lenape Regional High School District received some unexpected news last week, as Gov. Chris Christie announced millions more in school state aid for all districts in the state for the 2012 fiscal year budget.
The Christie administration announced last week the allocation plans 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.
The Evesham K-8 School District received an increase of about $718,000 over its 2011–2012 total of $12.2 million.
Evesham K-8 BOE President Sandy Student said it was a great surprise to receive the funding from the state, but it would most likely have several restrictions for how the school district can spend the additional monies.
“This is a great thing. The state gives it to us, but the state also has certain restrictions as to what you can use the money for. Can we do some solar project that will save the district money? Generate our own power? Those are always ideal things that we can look at,” Student said. “Can we use it for some media lab and library materials? How about increasing some of our spending in technology. Possibly more white boards for our classrooms. We’ll have to see.”
