State Aid to Fort Lee Schools Up 28 Percent, Municipal Aid Remains Flat

New Jersey Gov. Chris 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 and part of $213 million in additional state funding for education over Fiscal Year 2012. 

For Fort Lee that means $1,946,449 in state aid for grades K-12 for 2012-2013, an increase of $428,847—or 28.3 percent—in total aid over last year. The increase marks the second year in a row that aid to Fort Lee schools has gone up.

“Since taking office, one of my greatest priorities has been working to ensure that every child in the state receives a high quality education that will prepare them for the demands of the 21st century,” Christie said in a statement. “In addition to increasing overall spending on education to the highest levels in state history, we can and will go further to implement common sense ways that will make every education dollar count.”

The funding is contingent upon the governor’s budget passing, Fort Lee Board of Education president Arthur Levine pointed out, but he, along with BOE vice president Linda McCue, expressed optimism Friday.

“As a result of the governor’s initiatives upon taking office, will become the beneficiary of additional funding for the Fort Lee School District,” Levine and McCue said in a joint statement.

“This proposed funding puts the rumor to rest that [Christie] does not value public education,” they said. “This funding will allow us to maintain and, in some instances, enhance some of our existing programs and educational resources.”  

They also said, “We continue to maintain that the Abbott ruling needs to be addressed to ensure that fair funding is achieved for all districts.”

“It is clear that Gov. Christie understands that the old method of throwing more money at under-performing districts is not the answer for success,” Levine and McCue said.

The school board’s Finance Committee is meeting Monday to discuss the impact the additional funding would have on the district should the state budget pass, according to the school board officials.

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

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

Fort Lee is set to receive $1,771,192, 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, Gov. Chris 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, .

Click to see a full list of aid amounts to municipalities across New Jersey