Point Boro Wanted $327K In Emergency Aid. Here's What It Got.

POINT PLEASANT – Nothing.

That's how much the Point Pleasant Boro School District got after asking for $327,367 in emergency aid after the state cut funding to a number of communities across the state this year.

Superintendent Vincent S. Smith did not express surprise, saying: "We knew it would be a tough road when we applied."

Point Pleasant Boro is one of a number of districts that have gotten aid cuts since the Murphy administration and state Legislature changed the school funding formula last year. The formula brought severe cuts to a number of suburban districts.

Indeed, Toms River has even talked about cutting its fabled sports programs so it can make up for the funding losses. And even though the district got some emergency aid, Toms River officials said it wasn't nearly enough. Read more: Emergency Aid Award 'A Slap In The Face,' Toms River Schools Say

Point Pleasant Boro had a 5.63 percent decline in state funding this year, or $327,367. The district received $5,485,987 in total aid.

Smith said the district manages its money well and has found ways to make up for shortfalls such as these. That fact, he said, could be why the state didn't feel compelled to give the district more money.

"We're not going to argue about it," he said.

Smith said he's more concerned about the future now that the formula has changed, saying Point Pleasant Boro could be facing a $3 million decline in funding over the next seven years.

Senate President Steve Sweeney said this past week that he will introduce legislation to provide property tax cap relief for districts that are facing cuts. Sweeney was referring to a 2 percent cap set by the Christie administration in 2010 on how much money school districts can raise through property taxes. Read more: New Plan To Fix NJ School Aid: Raise Property Taxes Even More

Gov. Phil Murphy, however, is saying that he is not in favor of the idea and would prefer a millionaire's tax instead.

A number of school districts have struggled to stay within the cap, Sweeney said, and have had to cut programs instead.

"We need to ensure that students do not suffer in districts that are now taking cuts after receiving more than their fair share of state aid for more than a decade," Sweeney said.

Sweeney also said lawmakers will continue to work to consolidate nearly 300 school districts as a way to save money. Read more: Renewed Push On Plan To Eliminate 275 NJ School Districts