Sparta Schools Get 4.2% State Aid Increase

As part of the largest amount of state aid ever administered to schools by New Jersey, Sparta Township Schools made off as winners in this year’s funding.

The district received a 4.2-percent increase, or $238,338 more in state aid between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. The total amount for the coming year is $5,877,090.

Sparta received an increase between 2011-12 and the current year as well, but only in the amount of 0.5-percent, or a $26,763 bump.

So, what to do with the windfall?

“The (Board of Education) will decide use of funds between today and Monday night’s board meeting,” Superintendent Dennis Tobin said Friday morning.

The 2013-14 aid package is the largest amount every released by the state, according to the New Jersey Department of Education, with nearly $9 billion going to public schools, an increase of $97.3 million from the previous year.

“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 Governor Chris Christie in a statement. “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.”

It is also the third consecutive year overall aid has increased, the DOE said.

Tentative budgets are due to county superintendent offices by March 8 for districts that moved their elections to November.