Green Brook, Watchung Schools To Get More State Aid Than Promised

WATCHUNG/GREEN BROOK, NJ — Watchung, Green Brook and Watchung Hills Regional School Districts will all receive more state aid than Governor Phil Murphy said it originally would, revised numbers released by the state Friday show.

Green Brook will receive $1,129,213 in state aid for the 2018-19 school year, more than the $1,105,537 Murphy said earlier this year it would receive. The district received $1,013,139 in state aid for the 2017-18 school year.

Watchung will receive $548,036 in state aid for the 2018-19 school year, more than the $518,242 Murphy said earlier this year it would receive. The district received $469,048 in state aid for the 2017-18 school year.

Watchung Hills Regional School District will receive $1,449,867 in state aid for the 2018-19 school year, more than the $1,225,857 Murphy said earlier this year it would receive. The district received $1,105,050 in state aid for the 2017-18 school year.

Somerset County Vocational will receive $1,428,562 in state aid for the 2018-19 school year, less than the $1,543,011 Murphy said earlier this year it would receive. The district received $1,428,562 in state aid for the 2017-18 school year.

The Murphy administration says the new figures take significant steps to begin the process of fully and fairly funding New Jersey school districts, saying that $8.5 billion will be disbursed to the state's school districts, including an additional $68 million to bring aid in balance for underfunded districts.

"A stronger, fairer New Jersey means making sure that New Jersey's schools are receiving the funds they need to advance academic excellence for our students," said Murphy. "After years of neglect, we are turning the page to bring a balanced approach to school aid by removing the growth cap on funding increases and finally beginning the process of fully implementing the state's school funding formula established in 2008."

(Image via Shutterstock / Brian A Jackson)

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