Brick's Plea For Emergency School Aid Rejected

BRICK, NJ — Schooi district officials in Brick Township are looking at their next moves after the New Jersey Department of Education rejected the district's application for emergency aid for the 2018-19 school year.

The school district had sought relief from the education department on cuts to its adjustment aid, which amounted to $1.9 million for the 2018-19 school year. The district cut more than 40 staff positions and cut out some planned purchases that included academic materials that aimed to boost reading skills. There were were hopes state education officials would take another look and see the damage the cutbacks pose in the 8,500-student district.

But the Department of Education didn't see it that way, refusing to provide assistance.

School Board President Stephanie Wohlrab said the district was notified of the rejection of its application for $1.9 million shortly before the Election/NJEA Conference week break. The Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 7 tonight, Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Professional Development Center at the Veterans Memorial schools complex on Hendrickson Avenue.

"Districts that were denied were asked to engage in conversation with the executive county superintendent," Wohlrab said. A few days later the district learned it can further appeal Commissioner Lamont Repollet's decision and plans to send a letter to his office detailing "further points for consideration."

The Toms River Regional School District is in similar straits, after its application for $2.4 million in emergency aid also was rejected.

"We are disappointed by the denial of the application by NJ DOE as we provided much documentation and justification to warrant a full restoration of the $2.4 million they cut from our school aid in July 2018." Toms River Business Administrator William Doering said. "And unfortunately, this makes the hole even deeper for us to try and dig out of, and will expedite the negative impacts that our district anticipates having to endure over the next several budget cycles."

Toms River is facing a cumulative cut of $70 million that will result in hundreds of job cuts, as well as impacting extracurricular activities and busing, Doering has said.

Doering said Toms River and Brick are among several districts that received rejection letters in response to their requests for emergency aid. Some of them received letters that had similar language to that of the one Toms River received, he said.

Brick and Toms River are among a group of districts that are filing suit against the state Department of Education over plans to cut millions in so-called adjustment aid. The state Legislature passed a law during the summer that removes the money from some districts on the argument that they are losing enrollment and therefore do not need as much aid. The law, sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, also mandates 2 percent increases in the property tax levy for districts losing aid that are "under adequacy," meaning the are not spending what the state says is needed to provide a thorough and efficient education.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com

Image via Shutterstock