New Milford Schools Get Increase In State Aid, Municipal Aid Remains Flat

Governor Christie Thursday released aid numbers for New Jersey school districts based on his proposed $32.1 billion budget, including $7.8 billion in K-12 formula aid, an increase of $135 million over last year.

The state report shows that for New Milford this means $1,728,705 in state aid for grades K-12 for 2012-2013, an increase of $265,518—or 18.1 percent—in total aid over last year. 

However, Superintendent Michael Polizzi told Patch that New Milford received $254,638, which represents a 17.6 percent increase over last year. He said that the $1,728,705 is a gross amount which includes the Assessment for Debt Service on SDA Funding. 

"The state essentially assesses school districts to offset the cost of construction bonds," Polizzi said. "Last year, New Milford was charged $29,214; this year, $40,094, a $10,880 increase which is deducted from our state aid."

Polizzi said that while this increase in state aid is "most certainly beneficial" to the New Milford School District, given the drastic reduction in state aid two years ago, this increase still only brings the District to a little less than 58 percent of where it was in 2009-10.

Polizzi said that the increase will help the District in its ongoing recovery efforts.

"The District will be able to maintain effective staffing levels without increasing class size or eliminating programs," Polizzi said. "For a District with an agenda of growth and innovation, the increase in state aid is welcome."

Click to see a full list of aid amounts to school districts across New Jersey.

Meanwhile, state aid to the Borough of New Milford will remain flat under Christie’s proposed budget, figures also released Thursday show.

New Milford is set to receive $1,615,078, the same amount the borough received last year, according to the state Department of Community Affairs.

During his State of the State Address on Tuesday, Christie said he would increase aid to school districts, but have municipal aid remain flat.

State aid is used to help control property taxes, and Christie said no town would see its aid cut.

“This stable funding – coupled with such reforms as the 2% property tax cap, pension and health benefit reform and a 2% cap on interest arbitration awards – is driving down the cost of local government and controlling the property tax problem," Christie said in a statement. 

A report by NJSpotlight.com, however, .