Warren Schools Expected To See Hefty Increase In State Aid

WARREN, NJ — Warren Township Schools can expect to see a hefty increase in their state aid for the 2019-20 school year.

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration this week released the proposed state aid numbers for every school district in the 2019-20 school year.

Warren is expected to see an 10.20 percent increase in state aid. This means the district would receive a total of $1,658,159 or $153,445 more in state aid.

"I am pleased that Governor Murphy's budget increases state aid to the Warren Township School District for the 2019-2020 school year," Dr. Matthew Mingle, superintendent of Warren Township Schools said. "While this additional funding brings the district closer to its historical funding levels, state aid remains over $500,000 below the level received by the district just 10 years ago. The increase this year provides the board with greater flexibility to meet the needs of Warren Township's children in a fiscally responsible way."

Warren was the fifth highest increase in Somerset County. Bound Brook received the highest increase in aid in the county with 12.41 percent.

Hillsborough Township received the least with a decrease of 2.11 percent. It was also the only Somerset County school district to get a decrease.

Overall, state aid would increase 2.43 over the 2018-19 school year under a plan that requires approval from the state Legislature. That number would be smaller than the 3.5 percent increase Murphy originally proposed last year, but that original plan had no state aid cuts for any district.

Here is a list of nearby Somerset County districts to compare. They are listed from the highest amount of aid to least. (The first number is the percentage decrease or increase in aid; the second is the amount of aid; the third is the loss or gain in aid dollars):

1. Bound Brook Boro, Somerset 12.41% $15,507,546 $1,711,628
2. Somerset Hills Regional, Somerset 12.04% $1,455,450 $156,385
3. Bernards Twp, Somerset 11.23% $4,666,622 $470,965
4. Manville Boro, Somerset 10.29% $10,295,422 $960,390
5. Warren Twp, Somerset 10.20% $1,658,159 $153,445
6. Watchung Hills Regional, Somerset 9.62% $1,589,377 $139,510
7. Montgomery Twp, Somerset 9.35% $4,908,612 $419,656
8. Green Brook Twp, Somerset 8.27% $1,222,581 $93,368
9. Watchung Boro, Somerset 8.20% $592,997 $44,961
10. Bedminster Twp, Somerset 6.75% $822,289 $51,960
11. Bridgewater-Raritan Reg, Somerset 3.94% $10,431,111 $395,158
12. South Bound Brook, Somerset 1.47% $3,681,063 $53,383
13. Franklin Twp, Somerset 0.47% $14,031,573 $65,234
14. Hillsborough Twp, Somerset -2.11% $24,399,824 -$526,434

Click here to view the full state-wide list.

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