Senator Andy Ciesla and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Jim Holzapfel (all R-10) responded to news that Brick Township is considering the permanent closing of several schools to address budget shortfalls that have been exacerbated by a new school funding formula that has provided only token increases in school aid. The funding formula, which the tenth district legislators voted against, was introduced and approved by the Legislature in just five days.
“The Corzine Administration had promised vigorous debate to create a new school aid formula to address the massive inequities in aid sent to urban and suburban schools,” said Ciesla. “Instead of the careful consideration that the Administration promised, the 113-page school funding legislation was provided to the Legislature on January 3rd and brought to a final vote on January 7th, with little of the promised debate.”
Although the new school funding formula provides every district with a minimum 2% increase in state aid, that minimum increase is temporary and was only added to the plan as an incentive to leery legislators. For many districts, however, state aid will actually decline in three years when the introductory 2% aid increases expire. Brick Township was among the many municipalities that received the minimum increase.
Wolfe noted that Brick Township is consistently praised for having one of the most cost-efficient school districts in the state, spending just over $9, 000 annually per student.
“Other school districts spend twice as much per student as Brick with lesser results, yet they will be given large aid increases while Brick Township will likely lose state school aid as the new funding formula fully kicks in,” said Wolfe. “The budget problems that Brick Schools are now facing from the rushed formula will only get worse. The Legislature must revisit the school funding formula that was rushed from introduction to law during the holiday season.”
Holzapfel noted that the current budget problems experienced by Brick Schools are indicative of the negative effects that are likely to occur when complex plans, such as a school funding formula, are rushed through the Legislature without the provision of ample time for analysis and debate.
“The school funding boondoggle that is now threatening Brick residents parallels the approach that Governor Corzine has taken to gain approval for his ultra-complex toll hike scheme,” said Holzapfel. “Most of the documents related to the plan have still not been released by the Governor, despite his expressed desire to have the plan approved by the Legislature within the next few weeks.”
Ciesla renewed calls made previously by Republican leaders for the Governor to make public all documentation related to monetization.
“Governor Corzine must release all information that he has right now, and provide the Legislature with sufficient time to analyze the plan before any votes or hearings are scheduled,” said Ciesla.
Wolfe added, “If the Governor proceeds with pushing through the toll hike plan with the same secrecy that he pushed through the school funding plan, local residents will be stuck with another extremely expensive bill.”
Link to Post:
Similar Posts:
- Oroho: Abbott Audits Highlight Need to Revisit School Funding Formula
May 13, 2008 - Corzine Toll Plan Paves Way for More Gas Taxes, Tolls and Driver Fees
September 5, 2008 - Pennacchio: “Roll Back Increases for Abbott Districts”
January 17, 2008 - Ciesla, Wolfe & Holzapfel Call on Turnpike Authority to Hold Toll Hearings in Monmouth & Ocean Counties
September 30, 2008 - School Construction Aid Should Follow the Student
March 19, 2008
