Projected Aid for Lacey Schools up $87,278 for 2014

The Lacey Township School District will see state aid increased in 2013-14 by $87,278 over the current year, according to figures presented by Gov. Chris Christie Thursday.

While Lacey received $20,972,424 in state aid in the 2012-13 year, the district will receive $21,059,702 in 2013-14. This is a 0.4 percent increase.

The state Department of Education boasted that the 2013-14 aid package is the largest ever released by the state. Nearly $9 billion will go to public schools, an increase of about $97.3 million from the 2012-13 school year.

While state aid remains flat for four districts in Ocean County, many will see an increase in aid this year, including Barnegat, Berkeley Township and Toms River. The districts throughout Ocean County received an overall $2,511,392 increase over the current year. The districts receiving an increase will average a gain of $75 per pupil.

"Throughout my time in office I have continuously argued that in order to grow New Jersey's economy we must invest in education, and my proposed budget is a reflection of my commitment to our educational system and communities across the state," said Christie. "However, even as we continue to fund education at the highest levels in state history, we must remain willing to reflect on how we are spending our money and work towards solutions that make every dollar we invest count."

Special education is one area broken out in the explanation of aid. Lacey will receive $2,504,516 in aid specifically for special education.

The Board of Education will be holding a special meeting for the submission of the preliminary 2013-14 budget on Monday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.

At the next school board meeting on Monday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m., the district will do a formal presentation on the budget.

A public hearing will be held in the Lecture Hall on Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m.

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower, Business Administrator Jim Savage and Board of Education President Eric Schubiger were not immediately available for comment. Return to Lacey Patch for more details and input from district officials.

Below is the projected state aid for the Lacey Township School District in comparison to 2013:

2012-13

2013-14

Total Aid

 $21,059,702

$21,146,980

Equalized Aid

$17,692,202

$17,753,571

Transportation Aid

$342,986

$333,156

Special Education Categorical Aid

$2,473,933

$2504,516

Security Aid

$470,686

$483,794

Adjustment Aid

$79,895

$71,943

One Year Change

$279,480 (1.3 percent)

$87,278 (0.4 percent)

To see the breakdown of state aid by district, click here.