School State Aid Flat in Ridgewood, Glen Rock

As predicted in an election year, state aid funding to schools will remain flat oreven increase for some districts. In the case of Glen Rock and Ridgewood, there's no aid change to the 2013-2014 budget.

Ridgewood will again receive $2,015,886 in total state aid; Glen Rock is the recipient of $1,034,989.

Glen Rock business administrator Michael Rinderknecht has for months predicted flat state aid. The borough school district's proposed budget checks in at a zero percent tax increase to the general fund levy, the second consecutive year.

It's not the same story in Ridgewood.

Despite agreeing to examine budget scenarios at 0 percent, 0.5 percent, 1 percent, 1.5 percent and 2 percent in October, the village school board never did so. It now seems poised to pass a 2 percent increase over 2012-2013.

Prompted by trustee Jim Morgan's frustration over a lack of scenarios at the Monday board meeting, Superintendent Dan Fishbein will present such scenarios next Wednesday. It submits its budget to the county executive superintendent on Thursday.

"I fully expect unpalatable proposals," Morgan said Thursday. The board member predicted Fishbein will offer up layoffs and cuts in popular programs, not "a full examination of options to meet a zero percent tax increase."