$9 Billion in state aid for school

The last day of February Governor Christie announced that his administration will provide the most state aid ever for K-12 schools in New Jersey.

“Throughout my time in office I have continuously argued that in order to grow New Jersey’s economy we must invest in education,” said Christie. His proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014 includes nearly $9 billion in state aid, an increase of $97.3 million over Fiscal Year 2013. “However, even as we continue to fund education at the highest levels in state history, we must remain willing to reflect on how we are spending our money and work towards solutions that make every dollar we invest count.”

The $97.3 million increase in education aid is the third consecutive year of education funding increases. On average, districts across the state will receive an increase of $75 per student. According to the Governor’s office, all districts will receive an increase in K-12 formula aid or maintain flat funding from previous school year.

New Jersey Education Commissioner Cerf stated that our state ranks in the top three in the country with its per-pupil spending on public education. “But it takes more than money to provide an effective education and we will continue to focus on ways to support our educators, districts, and schools in order to ensure all of our students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the expectations of college and careers in the 21st century,” said Cerf.

Former Abbott districts continue to receive almost three times the state average in state aid per pupil. The overwhelming amount of total per pupil education spending in the former Abbott districts has, and will continue in Fiscal Year 2014, to come from direct state support.

Average State Aid Per Pupil In the Fiscal Year 2014:
• State Average: $5,881
• Non-Abbotts: $3,291
• Former Abbotts: $15,261

For local schools state aid for 2014

Eatontown Boro will see an increase of $59,646
Long Branch Public Schools will see an increase of $295,226
Monmouth Beach Boro zero increase.
Monmouth Regional High School will see an increase of $46,717
Ocean Township zero increase
Oceanport will see an increase of $3,577
Shore Regional High School zero increase
West Long Branch zero increase

Click this link for all 2013-14 State Aid Summaries: http://www.nj.gov/education/stateaid/1314/