State Aid Stays Flat For Area Schools

In a move that surprised no one, the state aid figures for this year matched the numbers given for last year, allowing all of the districts in the west Morris region to finalize their 2013-2014 budgets.

Chester will receive $1,017,492 for the coming year, same as 2012-2013 and a 16.2 percent hike over 2011-12.

"This was very good news. We expected to see a slight reduction because our enrollment has decreased, so we were encouraged to see that adjustment aid was added to equal last year's total," said Chester Business Administrator Mary Jane Canose. "If the aid had been reduced, we would have had to cut some of the security and facility improvements that are currently in the draft budget."

Mendham Township schools received an additional $107,211 which equates to a 37 percent increase for 2012-13. That brought their number to $416,101 where is stays for this year.

In nearby Mendham Borough, the district stays at $237,375 for the coming year after receiving an additional $52,524, last year.

The West Morris Regional High School District will receive $4,369,441 in state aid, the same as the year prior. That figure was a 7.7-percent increase from the $4,056,834 in 2011-12.

West Morris Regional Business Administrator Doug Pechanec was not immediately available for comment.

The 2013-14 aid package is the largest amount every released by the state, according to the New Jersey Department of Education, with nearly $9 billion going to public schools, an increase of $97.3 million from the previous year.

“Throughout my time in office I have continuously argued that in order to grow New Jersey’s economy we must invest in education, and my proposed budget is a reflection of my commitment to our educational system and communities across the state,” said Governor Chris Christie in a statement. “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.”

It is also the third consecutive year overall aid has increased, the DOE said.