Morris Plains Schools Slated For $145K More Aid, Don't Expect Any Cuts

Expressions of relief were numerous at Tuesday evening's Board of Education meeting in Morris Plains—and that was before anyone knew that  Gov. Chris Christie's budget proposal on Wednesday would increase state aid to the district by $144,173.

All the board knew on Tuesday was that there would be no cuts. 

Based on this assurance, made early on Tuesday by Christie, Superintendent of Schools Dennis Mack told those in attendance, "Now that we know there are no cuts, we can begin to move forward. We're doing okay."

He announced that, as long as the school budget is passed this year, no positions would be cut in the school district, all educational programs would be maintained, athletics would be untouched and, if all goes well, new technology will be purchased. Also, he said, "Courtesy busing will stay and it will stay at the same price."

According to a presentation by Business Administrator and Board Secretary Alice Bresett, this will be accomplished without seeking a waiver to the 2% cap in property taxes.

"Some things have gone our way," Mack said. He explained that an overpayment to the Morris School District, where Morris Plains students attend grades 9-12, was discovered, resulting in a $180,000 credit. Also, he said, the Educational Services Commission of Morris County, which provides a variety of shared services for local school districts, has agreed to keep the cost of busing and child study team services the same this year. The retirement of several long time teachers, paid at the high end of the salary spectrum, allowed the district to bring in lower-paid replacements.

Christie promised in his budget address Tuesday every district in the state would see an aid increase—part of a $250 million boost to education aid overall. In Morris County alone, schools would see an overall increase of more than $13 million.

Last year, the governor sharply reduced aid to schools, including Morris Plains and others in Morris County. Some saw their state aid eliminated entirely. At the time, many districts had been making plans for their budgets based on suggestions of more modest cuts by the state Department of Education.

"I agonized over making cuts to education aid last year," the governor said in his budget address. "They were the very last cuts I approved. It was not a decision I took lightly. It was not something I wanted to do. However, in a year where shared sacrifice was required from everyone, it was a necessary choice."

But he said hard decisions made over the last year allowed for some increase this year. Many districts will still receive less than they did prior to 2010-2011, however.

In proposals tied to his budget, the governor is also pushing for reform to tenure, and for public employees to take on much of the cost associated with their benefits. He's also pushing for associated pension reforms. 

"The need for reform, of course, is more urgent than ever. ... We need to reward excellent teachers, put an end to automatic tenure, and give parents trapped in failing schools a choice for a better future for their children. Once and for all, we must reward excellence and there must be consequences for failure. This is the way it is all across America – we must finally bring it to all of New Jersey’s classrooms," Christie said.

The proposed state aid for Morris County schools is as follows: