State Likes Ridgewood School District a Little Bit More This Time Around

Local Republican leaders are lauding a move by Governor Christie to return more state aid funding to local Bergen district, including Ridgewood.

According to a press release issued Thursday, State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40) says the Ridgewood Public Schools will be receiving $1,698,500 in state aid for 2011-2012.

“School children and property taxpayers are the primary beneficiaries of the Governor’s decision to dedicate additional state revenue to school aid for suburban communities,” the state senator said in a statement Thursday.

“I’m pleased that Governor Christie worked with us over the past several months to dedicate additional state revenues to school aid for suburban communities. By making tough choices and using an unexpected bump in state revenues wisely, we were able not only to increase aid over last year, but to double the rate of increase that was originally proposed in March.”

Reached for comment Friday, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein said he was still awaiting official word. If true, he said, "It is great to receive even more partial restoration of the $2.9 plus million we were cut in 2010-2011."

When asked if the district had particular plans for the money coming in, the superintendent said, "Money coming in at this late date may have restriction on how we use it."

That would be disappointing," Fishbein commented.

The state had and the governor had planned to restore a small portion for 2011-2012, .

The district's 2011-2012 , representing a flat 2 percent increase under the 'new normal' cap. Taxes will increase $190.90 for the average homeowner with a home assessed at $797,422.

There will be no programming or staffing cuts for the upcoming year and the district is currently in negotiations with teachers, whose contract ran out at the end of June.