$1.7 Million Dollars Short

Late last week, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the new funding formula for education in the state of New Jersey was constitutional. In many ways, this is good news for Woodbury. Though many districts are finding fault with the new formula, the new calculations in this formula take into account factors that are favorable to Woodbury.

We experienced a significant increase in aid for the 2008-09 school year and that resulted in a strong tax decrease for our residents. Unfortunately, though the formula indicated that a similar increase in aid should have been received by Woodbury for this upcoming 2009-10 school year, the governor determined to cap all districts receiving increases at 5%.

Thus, the issue begins to sound similar to problems with past school funding plans in New Jersey -- a formula not fully funded.

The article from the Gloucester County Times linked to this blog entry notes that, "The court said the constitutionality of the funding formula is based on the condition that the state continues providing the necessary amount of money required under the law."

That's interesting -- and something that we will be pursuing. We would like to see the formula provide the necessary amount of money required under the law. For Wooodbury, that would mean an additional 1.7 million dollars for next year.

I will keep you posted on our efforts to highlight this concern for those who are in a position to help.

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