Long Branch Schools To Receive More State Aid Than Originally Expected

The Long Branch School District received some good news this week when Gov. Chris Christie announced that the district will receive an additional $4,336,835 in state aid for the 2011-2012 school year.

The increase is part of Gov. Christie allocation plan for an additional $850 million in aid for New Jersey Schools, $600 million more than he initially announced in February.

In February, it was announced that the school would receive $37,558,629 in state aid, but this week that number was increased by $4,336,835, for a total of  $41,895,464.

The 2011-2012 state aid is a $5,097,020 increase over the 2010-2011 state aid figure of $36,798,444.

Abbot districts such as Long Branch received the largest increase in state aid with an additional $450 million.

Long Branch Superintendent Michael Salvatore said he was pleased with Gov. Christie's announcement this week

"Gov. Christie's education allocation plan will fully fund the school funding formula for the former Abbot districts, which has been a challenge since the inception of the SFRA," Salvatore said. "We are waiting for guidance from the Department of Education on the specific resources and initiatives that will be proposed under the governor's education reform agenda."

"Additionally, it was great to learn acting commission cerf has called for targeted standards based instruction and assessments, which has been a worthy movement in the education arena nationwide," Salvatore continued.

Salvatore said the district will utilize additional funding for "standards-based digital learning and assessment platforms such as Read180 and Study Island."

Both are diagnostic tools used in the classroom to monitor student learning and testing abilities.

Long Branch School District Business Administrator Peter Genovese said the district has "reached out to the State Department to align our initiatives and proposed projects to the Commisioner's 
focus in regards to finances."

"In Long Branch, the additional funds will be monitored closely by the superintendent and his cabinet to ensure that tax 
dollars are cautiously and purposefully utilized to improve student outcomes," Genovese said. 

The Long Branch School District budget passed again this year after showing a 0 percent tax increase over last year.

To recap, here is the Long Branch's state aid numbers according to the New Jersey Department of Education:

K-12 2010-2011 Total Aid: $36,798,444

Governor's Budget 2011-2012 Total Aid: $37,558,629

Additional Aid 2011-2012 Approp. Act: $4,336,835

Equalized Aid: $36,840,264

Education Adequacy Aid: $0

Choice Aid: $0

Transportation Aid: $606,569

Special Education Categorical Aid: $2,603,360

Security Aid: $1,845,271

Adjustment Aid: $0

Revised 2011-2012 Total Aid: $41,895,464

One Year Aid Change: $5,097,020