Ridgewood Will Get No State Aid for School Budget Next Year

March 19, 2010

Ridgewood will get no state aid for the 2010/2011 fiscal year.

"The Ridgewood Board of Education is now confronted by the largest budget cuts in the district’s 116-year history," according to a statement issued by the Ridgewood Public Schools district (RPS) on Thursday afternoon.

Governor Christie delivered his much-anticipated budget address on Tuesday, during which he stated, "We have worked to ensure that no school district in New Jersey will face a reduction in aid that is greater than 5 percent of their school budget."

In Ridgewood’s case, the amount of state aid the district received for 2009/2010 constitutes less than 5 percent of its overall budget. The district received about $2.9 million in state aid for the 2009/2010 budget, but will not see any of those funds for the 2010/2011 school year.

"Every attempt will be made to find cost savings in a manner that will result in the least harm to our core programs," said Dr. Daniel Fishbein, Superintendent of Schools, in the statement. "However, there is no doubt that the plan will include painful budget reductions, and even more painful staff layoffs."

Board of Education (BOE) member Laurie Goodman said, "It is truly shocking to think the state would send zero in aid to Ridgewood."

The news comes after district administrators recently announced the need to cut 40 school employees in order to eliminate $3.3 million in costs to balance the budget for the upcoming school year. Now, administrators will have to find a way to slash another $2.9 million.

On Monday, March 22, a preliminary 2010/2011 budget reflecting the huge reduction in state aid will be presented for the first time at the BOE meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. "The public is encouraged to attend that meeting and offer their questions and comments," according to the RPS statement.

Residents who wish to send questions in advance should direct them to Fishbein at budget11@Ridgewood.k12.nj.us or call the BOE office at 201-670-2700, ext. 10530.

After approval by the BOE, the preliminary budget will go to the Executive County Superintendent (ECS). When the ECS approves the budget, the BOE will then hold a legally mandated official public hearing, according to the RPS statement. That hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Education Center.

& #x0A; The shortened budget timetable imposed by the state has made budget construction "extremely difficult," Fishbein said Thursday.

Ridgewood is still listed as receiving $7.5 million in "other aid" from the state. Richard Vespucci, spokesperson for the Department of Education, explained this aid applies "to local costs that the state pays for, although they are not direct aid to schools that could be used to improve teaching and learning."

This money covers TPAF, given to the pensions of employees who are members of the Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund; and to FICA, given to match employee contributions to Social Security; extraordinary aid for the 2010 year is given to offset the costs of special education students; and 2011 debt service, which is part of the bond referendum, will help finance the renovation of fields at Ridgewood High School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

The governor also proposed a constitutional amendment, to be decided on by voters in November, to cap the tax increase districts can levy each year at 2.5 percent, instead of the current 4 percent. This is an effort to control high property taxes for New Jersey residents, Christie said.

Ridgewood is one of 59 New Jersey school districts to receive no state aid.

"Many members of the Ridgewood community have been hurt by the severe recession, making it imperative that we make every effort possible to balance our fiscal and educational responsibilities," Fishbein said. "We have been dealt a very hard blow."