www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/education/24bteachersnj.html?ref=education

NEW YORK TIMES:   ‘New Jersey: Modest Increases’

By WINNIE HU

Published: May 22, 2009

School budgets were approved in nearly three-quarters of the 551 New Jersey districts that held elections on April 21, many with modest budget increases. An additional 68 districts submit their budgets to local boards of school estimates.

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CAMDEN The 12,800-student district’s budget will remain flat at $330 million. To help close a $7.2 million shortfall, 93 positions, including teachers and administrators, will be eliminated. Preschool classes that were held out of the district because of space constraints will be moved into recently opened district buildings, saving more than $500,000.

HAMILTON The 13,500-student district’s budget was narrowly rejected by voters, but then approved by the township council. It will increase 3.1 percent to $178.9 million, but property taxes will not rise. The district will not make any budget cuts because of an additional 5 percent in state aid for spending below the recommended level for its size.

MILLBURN The 4,800-student district’s budget will increase 4 percent to $82.9 million. It will lay off six classroom aides and reduce hours for an additional two dozen, and cut back spending on teacher training, classroom supplies and technology.

PATERSON The 20,879-student district, which is under state oversight, submitted a budget to the state Education Department with an 0.05 percent increase, to $536.6 million. It will eliminate 150 staff positions and consolidate offices and merge at least three elementary schools. Two vacant buildings will be sold.

RIDGEWOOD The 5,700-student district’s budget will rise 1.2 percent to $84.3 million. It will cancel summer school for about 200 high school students, eliminate a supervisor position for the arts and several elementary classroom aide positions.