Public School District Receives $296,935 More in State Aid Than Last Year

Following Gov. Chris Christie's budget address Thursday, Feb. 22, the 2011-12 state aid figures have been released—and Collingswood will see $296,935 more aid than in 2010-11.

Last year, Collingswood Public School District received just under $9.5 million in state aid for the 2010-11 school year. For the 2011-12 school year, the district will receive nearly $9.8 million in state aid.

And Collingswood Public School District Superintendent Scott A. Oswald said the increase of nearly $300,000 will be highly beneficial.

"It will help a lot," Oswald said of the state aid increase. "As the governor said in his speech, we have defined a new 'normal,' and we are looking at ways to use some of that aid to help solidify programs that are core to our mission—while using the rest to provide some relief to the tax increases of the past. We think we will be able to do a bit of both."

And Oswald said the district's previous efforts to save money is paying off.

"Because of some creative shared services agreements we have pursued, and a thrifty attitude, we are comfortable with the budget as it now stands," said Oswald. "We recognize that (Christie's) new 'normal' demands a lean operating organization, and we will always continue to look for efficiencies in our system.

"Our goals are always to provide an outstanding education for our students, compensate our staff in a fair and competitive manner, and provide relief to our taxpayers whenever possible," Oswald continued. "The board of education will make some tough decisions on what (resources), if anything, (we can bring back into the district) while keeping in mind that the residents of New Jersey and Collingswood continue to feel some pain during the economic downtown."

And when the 2011-12 state aid figures were released, Oswald said Collingswood's increase was an encouraging surprise. 

"I was certainly pleased that we did not see a reduction in state aid," said Oswald. "We entered the process with 'flat state aid' on the mind, so this provides a bit of relief."

Exact Figures for Collingswood Public School District (K-12):

2011-12 State Aid — $9,775,599

2010-11 State Aid — $9,478,664

State Aid Increase from 2010-11 to 2011-12— $296,935