Budget Clarification

"Voters rejected the budget, 942 to 1027, according to City Clerk Laddie Wyatt. However, under terms of the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, the district is mandated to accept annual increases until it reaches 33 percent."

Some readers found this part of my blog post on the election confusing. My apologies.

Here is how I responded to one reader by e-mail:

"Up until the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, the proportion of state aid to the local school tax levy was about 80/20. The goal is to get more like 60/30, although the funding formula is highly complex. In most districts arround here, taxpayers come up with 80 percent or more and the state only kicks in 20 percent or less.
Christie accelerated the projected 4 percent increase per year by imposing a 10 percent increase on the school tax levy."

From 1992 to the 2007-08 school year, the school tax levy was unchanged. For the 2008-09, it was increased from $17,683,906 to $18,391,262. In 2009-10, it was $19,862,563. For the coming year, it is $21,848,819.

To see the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, click here.

To see former Department of Education Commissioner Lucille Davy's article on the legislation for the League of Municipalities, click here.

Here is a list of frequently-asked questions answered by the New Jersey Education Association.

Sorry if I summarized this complex issue incorrectly.

--Bernice