New NJ School Aid Figures Released For Manasquan-Belmar Area

The days of flat spending increases for most New Jersey school districts may be over – for now. Manasquan-Belmar area districts benefited from Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed state aid numbers for every school district in the 2018-19 school year that were released this week (see complete list below).

Overall, state aid would increase 3.5 percent over the 2017-18 school year under a plan that requires approval from the state Legislature.

State aid weighs heavily in many district's decisions on raising local property taxes. Many often say that aid cuts or flat spending from year to year gives them cause to raise what are already the highest property taxes.

Some districts – even in areas where Murphy may be considered unpopular – saw double-digit increases, such as Point Pleasant Beach (15.3 percent). And some districts were already showing their gratitude.

“It’s better than expected,” Brian Zychowski, superintendent of North Brunswick school district, told NJ Spotlight. “Of course, it’s better than flat.”

Read more: New NJ State School Aid Figures Released: Who Gets The Big Hike?

Here are the Manasquan-Belmar area school districts ranked based on their increase in aid:

• 5. Manasquan Boro, Monmouth $721,224 15.4%
• 118. Brielle Boro, Monmouth $507,667 8.6%
• 153. Belmar Boro, Monmouth $1,037,429 6.3%

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