Central Regional Sees Big State Aid Bump For 2025-26

BERKELEY, NJ — The Central Regional School District is in store to see one of the biggest state aid increases in New Jersey in the upcoming school year, with an 18.05 percent increase proposed according to the numbers released Thursday.

The district will receive $6.57 million in state aid for the 2025-26 school year. Most districts in the state only saw an increase of 6 percent or, if they were getting funding cut, a decrease of 3 percent. The only percentage increase larger than Central Regional's is in Beach Haven, which is seeing a 19.3 percent increase.

Aid cuts and increases are smaller this year than previously. That's because Gov. Phil Murphy, in his latest budget address, promised changes to New Jersey's school funding to eliminate wild swings in state aid to the state's nearly 600 school districts. Read more: See Which NJ Schools Will Get More State Aid For 2025-26

Additionally, the Berkeley Township School District is getting an increase of 6 percent, for a total of $4.03 million. That district will also receive $5.77 million in funding for preschool.

This article contains additional reporting by Karen Wall.