Caldwell Area Schools Get More State Aid Under Murphy’s Budget

CALDWELLS, NJ — Public schools in the Caldwell-West Caldwell and North Caldwell districts would see an increase from last year under Gov. Phil Murphy’s state aid proposal for 2019-2020.

Last week, Murphy's administration released the proposed state aid numbers for every school district in the 2019-20 school year. A total of 197 districts across New Jersey would see a decrease under the governor’s funding plan.

If the spending plan is approved, the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public School District would get $1,826,404 in aid from New Jersey, a $181,763 (11.05 percent) increase from last year.

The North Caldwell Public School District would get $454,280 in aid from New Jersey, a $52,451 (13.05) percent increase from last year.

See the full list here >> These 190-Plus Districts May Face Tax Hike (NJ School Aid Figures)

State aid weighs heavily in many district's decisions on raising local property taxes. Many experts say that aid cuts - or even flat spending - from year to year gives districts cause to raise local taxes.

Overall, state aid to districts in New Jersey would increase 2.43 percent over the 2018-19 school year under a plan that requires approval from the Legislature.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch national staff

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