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(Another cost driver that the state is ignoring and that falls on local taxpayers to make up the difference when the state does not meet its obligations. )In the midst of the state's fiscal 'mess', school construction needs & costs continue to grow yet Trenton continues to drop the ball in response to district inquiries re promised aid. Communities are in a quandary and need direction. Read to see Bernards Township resolution on this issue, a good statement of the problem and a good sample for other districts with similar needs.
WHEREAS, in September 2005 the voters of
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Education committed $9.5 million of state aid towards this school facilities expansion; and
WHEREAS, it has been nearly one year, and the Bernards Township Board of Education has received no official notification from the state Department of Education concerning when and in what form the state aid will be provided; and
WHEREAS, this lack of information inhibits the ability of the Bernards Township Board of Education to prepare a funding schedule for this project; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Bernards Township will face the possibility of additional interest costs if the state funding is not available and is not presented to the Bernards Township Board of Education in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, the Bernards Township Board of Education requests a clear response from the New Jersey Department of Education concerning the state's intention to provide the funding that was committed to the citizens of Bernards Township for our project; and
WHEREAS, because property taxes are a main concern for all residents of New Jersey, and especially for Bernards Township where state aid covers one of the smallest percentages of operating cost of any school district in the state (about five percent); and
WHEREAS, receiving this aid promised by the state is necessary for the Bernards Township Board of Education to complete the project on schedule and within the budget upon which our residents voted,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bernards Township Board of Education is soliciting a timely and positive response from the New Jersey Department of Education concerning delivery of the state aid committed for the school facilities expansion.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Bernards Township Board of Education, that we do hereby direct that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Corzine, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education Davy, Assemblymen Bateman and Biondi, Senator Kavanaugh, the Bernards Township Committee, the Garden State Coalition of Schools and the New Jersey League of Municipalities.