Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     1-12-10 Moving on...'Budget plan a wrinkle for districts'
     1-11-10 Transition News
     1-5-10 GSCS: Update on January 4 Lame Duck Session
     1-6-10 Race to the Top Plans on the move, not without conflict
     12-27-09 'New Jersey competes for education reform stimulus money' (aka 'Race to the Top' funds)
     12-23-09 Gannett article provides details on Gov. Corzine's proposal to use additional surplus in place of state aid
     12-23-09 GSCS: Governor Corzine targets excess school surplus to replace state aid payments starting in Feb '10 - lame duck legislation anticipated
     10-20-09 REMINDER: Commissioner Davy to be at 10-28 GSCS meeting in Atlantic City
     9-13-09 As an issue for N.J.(Gubernatorial election), schools are in'
     7-22-09 'State gives extra aid for schools an extraordinary boost'
     6-19-09 a.m. GSCS 'Quick' FYI - State Budget Vote delayed to Thursday, June 25
     6-16-09 News from Trenton on State Budget in Senate and Assembly Budget Committees yesterday
     APPROPRIATIONS ACT FY2009-1020 as introduced
     A4100-S2010 Appropriations Act 'Scoresheet' and Language Changes released
     6-10-09 Education Week on Abbott Decision
     6-9-09 COMMENTARY on Supreme Court Abbott school funding decisio
     5-27-09 GSCS 18th ANNUAL MEETING - All INVITED GUESTS HAVE CONFIRMED, INCLUDING GOVERNOR CORZINE
     5-19-09 Treasurer David Rousseau announces additional round of cuts to Gov's proposed State Budget FY2009-2010
     4-5-09 The Record, Sunday April 5, Front Page Opinion
     3-29-09 Record Editorial on Judge Doyne recommendations
     3-16-09 EMAILNET
     3-11-09 CORZINE BUDGET ADDRESS: STATE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS A LITTLE MORE NOT LESS - FEDERAL TITLE 1 & IDEA INCREASES YET TO BE COUNTED - STATE SCHOOL AID FIGURES ON DEPT OF ED WEBSITE 1:30 TODAY - RELATED ARTICLES, MORE...
     3-10-09 GOVERNOR TO DELIVER STATE BUDGET MESSAGE TODAY - SCHOOL AID FIGURES TO BE RELEASED BY THURSDAY LATEST
     2-24-09 State Budget & Stimulus News of Note
     2-19-09 Federal stimulus - information re: Education funding in 'State Fiscal Stabilization' part of the package
     1-16-09 Today's news notes state budget waiting on Obama stimulus package
     1-11-09 'Corzine State of State speech to put economy front & center'
     12-28-08 NY Times 'Pension Fight Signals What Lies Ahead'
     12-29-08 NJ to new leaders - Fund our schools
     12-23-08 Governor faces hard choices in the New Year
     12-21-08 GSCS EMAILNET - Excerpts
     11-18-08 Ledger Online & 11-19 Star Ledger headline news
     11-18-08 Supreme Court decides in favor of Abbott districts re new school funding law
     11-5-08 Gov. Corzine U.S. Treasury Secretary?
     11-5-08 Governor Corzine candidate for Secretary of U.S. Treasury per Ledger report
     Conversation with the Commissioner in Atlantic City
     Education Commissioner Lucille Davy at GSCS Open Mtg 10-29 in A.C.
     9-24-08 Supreme Court hearing on constitutionality of School Funding Reform Act
     8-29-08 'Newly hired teachers benefit from Corzine delay'
     12-3-07 As details become clearer on the new funding plan, GSCS will report on its emerging position
     11-20-07 RELEASE OF NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA LIKELY TO BE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
     11-16-07 Governor Corzine's remarks on school funding to League of Municipalities
     11-8-07 Governor & Legislative leadership agree to take up - and pass - funding formula in Lame Duck
     10-23 Media reports & Trenton responses to date re GSCS Press Conf
     9-29-07 The New York Times - Patience with Corzine Wears Thin
     10-10-07 Key Questions for Legislative Candidates
     10-12-07 Coach Corzine's tactic to win the game? Punt
     In the news - Corzine on school aid formula & good news for urban schools
     9-13-07Corzine adds school aid to the lame-duck agenda
     8-10-07 'Standing 'O' greets Corzine as he hosts town hall mtg'
     8-1-07 'Paterson isn't ready to gain control' & 7-29 'The Numbers still don't add up'
     4-4-07 News articles, editorial & Op-Ed on bill signings for A1 and A4
     3-25-07 New York Times on NJ Comparative Spending Guide, more on Gov putting off signing A1, Tax Caps & Rebate bill
     3-22-07 THINGS CHANGE...Governor Corzine delays A1 becoming law
     3-21-07 The Tax Cap-Credit bill, A1, can become law by Friday without Governor's signature
     3-1-07 Emerging Devil showing up in the details
     2-23-07 News Articles re Gov's Budget Proposal
     2-22-07 GSCS EMAILNET re Gov's Budget Message
     2-22-07 Governor Corzine's Budget Message today
     2-16 to 2-19 New Articles of Note
     2-14-07 GSCS letter to Gov Corzine & Commr of Education Davy - Request for State Aid FY0708
     2-12-07 State School Aid - needed to offset property taxes now
     2-9-07 GSCS EMAILNET MEMBER FYI on Trenton legislation Action
     2-8-07 News artiles-editorial re Gov's annoucnement that there will not be a new school funding formula for FY0708
     2-7-07 School funding, school audits - need for new formula underscored
     2-6-07 Trenton Update - S19 Super Supt passes Senate; Tax Cap bill stalled; No funding formula in FY0708
     2-1-07 Turnpike for sale, Gov - need funding formula, more
     1-30-07 'Is Property Tax Plan Legal?'
     1-30-07 Tax Caps bill, A1, passes Assembly late last night
     1-25-07 GSCS: No School Aid = No Real Tax Relief...again
     1-24-07 Quinnipiac Poll & School Construction woes for Corzine
     1-21-07 Gannett article on 'property tax credit, annual cap vote due'
     Trenton Update Jan 9-Jan 15, Gov's State of the State, more
     1-8-07 Articles & Editorial talk about 'missing pieces' of tax reform proposal and note consequences
     1-7-06 GSCS & HARD CAPS & IMPORTANT PIECES OF THE PUZZLE STILL MISSING
     GSCS RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2007
     1-5-07 Small-town officials protest consolidation
     1-2-07 GSCS New Year's Resolution
     12-19-06 Feedback - articles on school funding hearings yesterday
     12-18-06 Sunday editorials - take of Property Tax session
     12-15-06 EMAILNET Bills Held!
     12-11-06 Trenton is in disarray - read news clip
     12-8 & 12-9 News clips on Trenton machinations...
     11-19-06 Sunday Press Articles & Commentaries
     11-16-06 Governor Corzine's speech on Property Tax Address to League of Municipalities
     11-10-06 NJ education chief vows urban support
     11-11-06 EMAILNET Special Session Legislative Committees report Nov. 14 or 15
     11-9-06 Public hearing on school consolidation tonight, 7 pm, at Freehold Borough Chambers, 51 Main St
     11-9-06 Public hearing on school consolidation tonight, 7 pm, in Freehold
     11-6-06 The need for special education funding to stay as a 'categorical' aid based on each students disability is real
     11-4-06 Senate President & Assembly Speaker 'no new taxes'
     10-25-06 Details on Corzine Administration's new funding formula starting to emerge
     10-5-06 EMAILNET
     10-5-06 Conversation on school funding, consolidation continues
     School Construction: Third Report to Governor by Interagency Working Group
     9-15-06 Star Ledger & AP - 3.25B suggested for school construction
     9-15-06 Star Ledger - 3.25B suggested for school construction
     August 2006 on - GSCS NOTEBOARD ON SPECIAL SESSION Committee meetings
     7-29-06 School Funding formula draws mixed reactions
     7-28-06 Gov to legislature: make history, cut taxes
     7-27-06 Trenton begins its move to address property taxes
     7-16-06 Lead economists address NJ's economy downswing
     7-12-06 Column on State Budget legislator items
     7-14-06 EMAILNET
     7-12-06 It's Official - Governor appoints Lucille Davy as Education Commissioner
     7-11-06 Talk of Special Session on Property Tax Reform
     7-9&10-06 State Budget news articles -wrap up & news analyses
     7-9-06 Sunday New York Times
     7-8-06 FY07 Budget approved - 19.5 in spec ed grants stays in
     7-7-06 EMAILNET - AGREEMENT ON STATE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-7-06 AGREEMENT ON STAE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-3-06 Roberts, Codey & Corzine still not on same page
     6-30-06 State Budget news - as the dissonance must be resolved
     6-29-06 Mirroring the elements, State Budget looking like a 'natural disaster'
     6-15-06 Star Ledger, Gannet articles- Abbott advocates demand school reform at educ. dept
     6-12-06 EMAILNET - Extraordinary Special Education student aid; FY07 Budget 'crunch' is on; news clips
     6-6-06 Legislative Leaders announce initial plans for property tax reform
     5-16-06 EMAILNET Action in Trenton
     5-10-06 A Lot is going on - Major News fromTrenton
     Gubernatorial Candidates' Education Plans announced September 05
     Governor Corzine takes steps towards major policy initiatives.
     4-8-07 Corzine Administration files brief with Supreme Court re Abbott funding
     4-7-07 The Record
     3-29-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07 Hearings Update
     3-28-06 GSCS testimony before Assembly Budget Comm today
     3-24-06 EMAILNET FYI Update on Gov Corzine's Budget FY07
     3-23-06 Corzine says some Abbotts can raise taxes
     3-16-06 Gannett Press: Corzine wants to raise taxes, slash $2B
     Governor's Budget message 1 pm 3-21-06
     3-15-06 News articles on FY07
     3-10-06 Star Ledger 'Time is ripe for poorer districts to contribute.
     3-9-06 Governor speaks to S1701 at town meeting
     3-7-06 More articles on the Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members fo to Trenton
     3-7-06 Articles on Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members off to Trenton
     12-14-05 Asbury ParkPress Editorial 'Re-assess the ABC's of School Funding' notes the Governor's role is critical in making positive change occur
     Gubernatorial, Assembly District by District, County and Municipal voting breakdowns-results & formats for November 8 elections
     2-2-06 GSCS HEADS UP re probable delay of Governor's Budget Message
     Governor Corzine's Transition Team Reports
     1-19-06 EMAILNET Quick Facts, On the Homepage Today
     1-19-06 News Articles Trenton Times, The Record, Star Ledger
     1-18-06 Star Ledger
     Governor Corzine- Inaugural Address
     1-15-06 The Record 2 Sunday Articles anticipating top issues confronting the Corzine administration
     1-11-06 Star Ledger - Corzine Casts Wide Net for Cabinet
     12-14-05 Asbury ParkPress Editorial 'Re-assess the ABC's of School Funding'
     12-5-05 Governor-elect Corzine selects policy advisory groups
     11-20-05 Sunday Star Ledger 'Corzine's risky promise to taxpayers
     11-11-05 Trenton Times Corzine puts property taxes at the top of his agenda
     11-9-05 The Record - Governor Elect can't claim a mandate
     November 9 The Trenton Times - Corzine Triumphs
     9-9-05 Trenton Times,Corzine Education Agenda
1-12-10 Moving on...'Budget plan a wrinkle for districts'
Courier Post - January 12, 2010 ..."The issue could be moot if the incoming governor and Legislature decide to abandon the plan and devise a new strategy...Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, noted that the plan was floated by the Corzine administration legislation. "To date, no legislation has been introduced to support the proposal. GSCS is hearing it is "up in the air' and will not be addressed, at least not in this lame-duck session," Strickland said. "There are clear problems with the proposal's approach..."


January 12, 2010

Budget plan a wrinkle for districts

By BARBARA S. ROTHSCHILD
Courier-Post Staff

A state plan to cut school funding to help balance the New Jersey budget could have some districts scrambling if it goes through -- then again it may not affect some districts at all.

Districts it could hurt -- including those that have been diligently putting aside funds to offset possible tax increases in future years -- are crying foul and asking where the parity is in the plan.

State officials last month announced a plan to rebalance the state budget in part by cutting state aid to schools by $260 million. The move would require districts with surpluses exceeding 2 percent of their own budgets -- the maximum allowed by state law -- to tap the extra funds.

Administration officials said school programs, operations and local property taxes shouldn't be affected by the aid-for-surplus swap, but contention has been brewing because the plan would also force districts that have not followed the state's 2 percent cap to make cuts or raise school taxes.

"Districts that have been conservative in budgeting and spending could be the ones hurt the most," said James Devereaux, business administrator for the Cherry Hill School District. "If there was any hint whatsoever that the state might do something like this, we would most certainly have moved all of our projected excess surplus into capital reserve."

The district, Devereaux added, made a conscious and prudent decision to maintain "taxpayer relief" for the 2010-11 budget knowing future aid could be cut.

"If the state forces us to use the money we put aside for next year, they are changing the rules in midstream and digging a bigger budget hole for us next year," he said.

Through careful planning last year, Cherry Hill officials said they were able to reserve $5 million from the 2008-09 budget to support the current one and avoid an unrestricted surplus of more than 2 percent of the 2009-10 budget.

In so doing, the district was able to keep the tax levy stable for the current year. It is hoping to do the same as it builds next year's budget. The school board last year agreed to move $1 million into a capital reserve, but left the rest for taxpayer relief in 2010-11.

The ongoing plan was to earmark $3.5 million in excess surplus for taxpayer relief in 2010-11. Whether the money will still be there is now uncertain, and Devereaux is reacting in an attempt to stave off spending cuts as well as a tax hike.

"Just like last January, I am telling our staff, "If you haven't bought it yet, don't buy it,' " he said.

"The state is giving no incentive to be that conservative anymore," Devereaux added. "If you had anything more than the 2 percent (of surplus) on the books, the state has made that fair game. It will no longer be untouchable, no longer reserved for taxpayers."

Unlike Cherry Hill, whose state aid was flat last year, the Pennsauken School District received an unexpected windfall of an additional $2.3 million in state aid for 2009-10. The extra money allowed the district to increase its capital improvements for the current year. Now, the state could be poised to take some of that money back.

"I don't really know if the state understands school accounting," said Pasquale Yacovelli, Pennsauken's business administrator. "It's just devastating if this follows through."

Yacovelli said Pennsauken's state aid could be reduced beginning next month if the plan were to materialize. Its excess surplus of more than $6 million has been earmarked for the 2010-11 budget.

"The state is putting districts in a bind. They do it so late in the game. We're already halfway through the year. We would have to recoup from this year's appropriations -- and some of those (capital) projects are already started," he said.

Pennsauken has held its tax levy stable for three consecutive years. But doing it for a fourth year could be a challenge should the plan to cut state aid and tap excess surplus become a reality.

For now, the district -- which is trying to get a $34.6 million referendum approved this month to build a green school -- may have to place all capital projects on hold.

Devereaux said the governor's proposal would cause every school district to "spend down" to 2 percent of its operating budget, thus creating a huge disincentive for districts to conserve funds and implement multiyear budget strategies to lessen the taxpayer burden.

The issue could be moot if the incoming governor and Legislature decide to abandon the plan and devise a new strategy.

Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, noted that the plan was floated by the Corzine administration legislation.

"To date, no legislation has been introduced to support the proposal. GSCS is hearing it is "up in the air' and will not be addressed, at least not in this lame-duck session," Strickland said.

"There are clear problems with the proposal's approach. One is that approximately 40 percent of school districts (those that do not have excess surplus) will not be impacted; the 60 percent that could be affected will not be able to apply those monies to property tax relief as currently required by law," she said.

What the state might come up with in lieu of this plan is a big question mark.

But districts agree: Anything that takes away more school funding will not be good for public education.

Along with the state's huge financial hole that could affect school funding, another question mark involves federal stimulus money. In Cherry Hill, the 2009-10 school budget was buoyed by $1.3 million in stabilization aid. This year, with the federal budget deficit growing, that money could dry up, as well.

Other districts that were able to hold the line on the local tax levy for 2009-10, such as Mount Laurel, have adopted a "wait-and-see" position.

"We've really just begun our budget projections and we've been told we may not have any information on state aid until much later this year," said Marie Reynolds, spokeswoman for the Mount Laurel School District.

The uncertainty of a new state administration means yet another problem for school districts -- less time to sell their 2010-11 budgets to residents who are already tapped out.

"We're planning on our window being much smaller to get word out to the public. Our public hearing, budget adoption and the date of the vote will be so close that we may not be able to get out our usual budget newsletter in time," Reynolds said.

School elections are slated to be held on April 20 this year -- unless the new Legislature decides otherwise. But with a Republican governor and a Democratic Legislature, the public schools and their funding could become more of a political football than ever.

"Hopefully, good government will trump moodiness on the part of the Legislature," Strickland said. "You're talking about public education here. We need to remind legislators of that early and often."

Reach Barbara S. Rothschild at (856) 486-2416 or barothschild@camden.gannett.com