Additional School Aid May Be Red Herring

First came a sense of satisfaction, as if a smiling Gov. Chris Christie, in a purely benevolent act, opened a bag of money and dropped it all over the state from a top the world’s largest skyscraper.

Days following the announcement that every school district in the state would receive additional funding, school officials have yet to be told what it’s actually supposed to be used for. Considering Christie’s consistent emphasis on cutting spending and reforming the state’s school system, some are waiting for a catch they believe will inevitably follow.

For the past few years Red Bank School District has put off infrastructure repairs as it’s tried to balance its budget. The additional $151,370 the district was told it would receive Tuesday, conceivably, could be put towards any number of projects the district is desperate to complete.

If only the district had any idea what the money could be used for.

“We’re awaiting further guidance on how to plan for the monies that are coming in,” Superintendent Laura Morana said. “The State has basically said that guidance will be coming, a recommendation on how best to utilize the money. Right now we don’t have that information.”

A release from the governor’s office says $850 million in new aid has been authorized for New Jersey schools in this fiscal year’s budget. That figure includes the $250 million schools got in state increases this year – the same figure Christie removed two years ago – as well as an additional $450 million for Abbott Districts and an additional $150 million for non-Abbott districts.

According to the release, which cleverly omits the fact that Christie’s administration cut school funding two years ago, state education aid is higher this year than it was when he took office.

Touting language like “reform,” “overdue changes,” and “accountability,” in speeches and press releases has made educators like Morana wary of what, on the surface, seems like a good thing. Though she’s waiting to hear from the State Department of Education, Morana said she has the impression that the funding will be used for property tax relief, rather than as additional aid.

“Unfortunately,” she said. “They didn’t say here’s the additional money, they didn’t say the school year is coming and we’re positive you can use it. That’s not the message right now.

“We are appreciative and we look forward to the State’s recommendation. As of right now, everyone’s just waiting.”

What is to come of the money remains to be seen. In some towns, the aid more than doubles what the districts received last year. For Red Bank and its more than $19 million budget, of which more than $1.7 million is state aid, the additional sum isn’t a game changer, exactly, though it could certainly be put to good use, Morana said.

For now, Red Bank School District and every other district in the state will just have to wait and see.