The long-awaited 2012 state aid numbers that will determine the scope of school district budgets statewide have been released by the Department of Education, showing Lacey schools will receive $612,488 more in state funding than they did in 2010-11.

In his budget plan speech Tuesday, Christie announced his plan to increase funding for districts by $250 million in 2012, welcome news to districts fearing the trend of big cuts would continue.

Ocean County districts will receive about 5 percent of that increased aid, according to the data released today.

"Last year, our state faced severe fiscal challenges, and we had to make some very difficult choices," Christie said in a prepared release Wednesday evening. "Reductions to education funding were among the most agonizing of those choices. Because of the foundation we set in last year's budget, and our responsible management of the state's finances, New Jersey is on firmer footing and we are able to put more funding into classrooms throughout New Jersey.

However, more money on its own will not fix our education system. We must continue to vigorously pursue education reforms to fundamentally change public education, focused on achieving results for children, rewarding excellence in the classroom and demanding accountability throughout the system."

Below is the projected state aid for the Lacey Township School District:

Keep reading tomorrow for more details and input from local district officials.