Schools

Springfield Schools to Receive $328,859 in State Aid

Christie promises increases for every school district in the state; comes through for Springfield.

Calculating the difference between the amount of state aid for Springfield schools between 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 is easy. 

This year, the school district is slated to receive $328,859 in state aid. That's a $328,859 difference from what the district received in . 

The 0 to  $328,859 jump reflects New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's promise in his budget address Tuesday that every district in the state would see an aid increase. Overall, he boosted education spending by $250 million. Union County alone is budgeted for $502,132,962 overall, up $13,745,038 from the previous school year.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last year, the governor sharply reduced aid to schools, including several in Union County. Springfield wasn't the only district to have its state aid eliminated entirely. At the time, many districts had been making plans for their budgets based on suggestions of more modest cuts by the state Department of Education.

"I agonized over making cuts to education aid last year," the governor said in his budget address. "They were the very last cuts I approved. It was not a decision I took lightly. It was not something I wanted to do. However, in a year where shared sacrifice was required from everyone, it was a necessary choice."

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But he said hard decisions made over the last year allowed for some increase this year. Many districts will still receive less than they did prior to 2010-2011, however.

In proposals tied to his budget, the governor is also pushing for reform to tenure, and for public employees to take on much of the cost associated with their benefits. He's also pushing for associated pension reforms. 

"The need for reform, of course, is more urgent than ever. ...We need to reward excellent teachers, put an end to automatic tenure, and give parents trapped in failing schools a choice for a better future for their children. Once and for all, we must reward excellence and there must be consequences for failure. This is the way it is all across America—we must finally bring it to all of New Jersey’s classrooms," Christie said.

For a complete breakdown of the state's education aid figures, click here


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