School leaders decide on uses for extra state funds

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

Representatives of the Freehold Borough school district and Borough Council joined state Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck at the Statehouse in Trenton recently to lobby New Jersey legislators for additional funding for the K-8 district. FREEHOLD - School administrators have decided how they will spend $550,000 in additional funding they expect to receive from the state for the 2007-08 school year.

In a development announced last week by state Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth and Mercer) and Assembly members Michael Panter (D-Monmouth and Mercer) and Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth and Mercer), the Freehold Borough K-8 School District is expected to receive the money as part of a $2.9 million package that will help nine New Jersey school districts get closer to meeting the state's mandate to provide children with a thorough and efficient (T&E) education.

The money is to be included in the 2007 state budget.

According to information previously provided by school officials, Freehold Borough is presently spending $8,100 per pupil, which is about $900 per pupil less than what the state has said should be the appropriate T&E level. There are about 1,400 children enrolled in the borough's three schools.

The trio of local legislators initially sought approximately $1.2 million ($900 deficit per pupil x 1,400 pupils) for Freehold Borough in order to bring the school district up to the recommended T&E spending level. The local representatives eventually brokered a deal with state leaders for about 50 percent of the requested aid package.

Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth O'Connell and Business Administrator Veronica Wolf said they were pleased to learn the school district will receive the extra $550,000.

According to Wolf, $150,000 of the total amount will be used to help alleviate the budgetary deficit by putting money back into the district's general fund surplus.

Administrators are now planning to reinstate a guidance counselor's positions that was cut from the 2007-08 budget. A kindergarten teaching position will also be brought back, possibly for the Park Avenue Elementary School. A total of three clerical assistant positions, one for each school, will also be restored.

Wolf said $75,000 will be distributed to all three schools for instructional supplies and $50,000 will be applied to the special education program to cover unexpected costs. One custodial position of the two that were eliminated will also be restored.

A total of $25,000 from the $550,000 appropriation will be used toward building maintenance for some small projects that Wolf said have been on hold. She said $15,000 will be used for the New Jersey PASS assessment test for grades one and two. In addition, $30,000 will be put into technology and the payroll department office, and $5,000 will be put toward the program for gifted and talented students.

The Freehold Borough school budget for 2007-08 totaled $16.7 million prior to the announcement of the extra $550,000.