The Cherry Hill School District will see a boost in state aid this year, according to the projected state aid totals released by the state Department of Education last week.
Gov. Christie announced school aid would increase $135 million over last year’s appropriations, totaling $7.8 billion for schools across the state.
Christie said the appropriations are the largest in state education in the history of New Jersey.
“Since taking office, one of my greatest priorities has been working to ensure that every child in the state receives a quality education that will prepare them for the demands of the 21st century,” Christie said. “In addition to increasing overall spending on education to the highest levels in state history, we can and will go further to implement common sense ways that will make every education dollar count.”
The Cherry Hill School District’s funding increased by nearly 12 percent over last year’s figures, increasing by $1,359,048.
Last year, the district received $11,373,275. The district will receive $12,732,323 to include in the proposed 2012–13 budget, totaling $171,498,435.
Even with the increase, the district will still receive less funding than it did in 2008–09, said district public information officer Susan Bastnagel.
“Our funding is still lower than five years ago, but we do feel fortunate,” she said.
The district received nearly $16.2 million in 2008–2009, $11.2 million the following year, and by 2010–2011, the district’s funding sank to just under $8 million. Allocations from the state again increased in 2011–2012, with nearly $11.4 going to the school district.
At the board of education’s Feb. 28 meeting, school district officials highlighted the pros and cons of the 2012–13 budget.
Officials noted additional expenditures in the areas of special education district-wide, out-of-district placements, staff training, required grounds and custodial maintenance, security and transportation.
Health benefits, which represent 20 percent of the budget, officials added, will remain flat in the coming year. The district also reports pension payments are up, as are workers compensation premiums.
Some of the money will be set aside for capital projects throughout the district, including roofing projects at Paine Elementary, Rosa Middle School and Cherry Hill East. The district is also planning a major electrical upgrade at Rosa, a sanitary ejector pump at the Malberg Administration Building and drainage work at both the high schools.
The district also continues to plan for funding the Regis Academy Charter School set to open this fall.
Original projections from the Department of Education called for money to be set-aside for 169 students to attend the charter school, Bastnagel said. The district is planning to fund 169 students, even though officials expect the actual enrollment to be less than 169 students from the township this fall.
If the set-aside is reduced, school district administration say they would recommend the board to reduce the local levy by $250,000, increase funding for technology and/or capital projects.
The board voted recently to move the school elections to November. The budget will still undergo a review by the county superintendent and a public hearing will be held later this month at a board meeting.
The deadline to submit a nominating petition to run for the board is now June 5.
For more information, visit the district’s website at www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us.
