Politics & Government
Net State School Aid Up Slightly for 2012-13
State school aid is up slightly from 2011-12
Though state aid for the 2012-13 school year is up in Manchester nearly $122,000 over the previous year's number, payment obligations mean the district will net only about $10,000 of that money, said the district's business administrator.
will receive a total of $5,370,017 in state aid for the 2012-13 school year, a 2.3 percent increase from the $5,248,309 awarded last school year. Gov. Chris Christie put about $213 million into the state budget — which he presented last week — for school aid.
But because of increased payments to the state, that additional aid for the next school year will only yield the district about $10,000, said business administrator Craig Lorentzen. Though still in the budget creation process — a preliminary budget must be filed with the county schools superintendent by March 5 — the district does not expect any drastic changes to personnel or programs.
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"As of now we're not anticipating any staff reductions or program loss," Lorentzen said. "Right now, I have the budget balanced."
In 2012-13, the district will be required to pay about $82,000 more in pension funds to the state. Additionally, the state will no longer be obligated to pay a portion of debt service from old referendums, meaning the the district's School Development Authority assessment is increasing about $29,000.
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That over $111,000 in payment obligations deducted from the $121,708 in increased state aid leaves about $10,000. The district also does not expect again to receive about $218,000 in federal aid through the Education Jobs Fund, Lorentzen said.
"The federal aid right now, as we know, is gone," he said.
Another factor that the district will consider during budget creation is the which still has not been appropriated.
"We're still in the process of determining how to utilize that additional aid payment," Lorentzen said.
Though it could be put toward the 2012-13 budget, administrators may wait to use the funds during the 2013-14 school year since schools may be required to implement expensive computerized testing and new staff evaluation and development initiatives.
Manchester voters will not have the opportunity to vote on the budget, provided the spending plan remains within the state-mandate 2 percent cap.
"We are anticipating being within the cap," Lorentzen said. It is still too early to reveal the budget's tax rate, Lorentzen said, as numbers are being finalized and are subject to change.
Even if the budget stays within the 2 percent cap, the district is still required to have a public hearing to describe the budget. The preliminary budget will face approval during a special board meeting on March 1 before it is submitted to the county. Administrators expect to hold a full presentation of the budget during a special meeting on March 28.
The exact tax levy number caused by the budget must be made public by May 19.
To help lower costs going forward, Lorentzen said that administrators are pursuing an "aggressive rate" on medical plans; additionally, the teacher's association will begin contributing to health insurance costs on Jan. 1, 2013, something that has not been done for the past three years.
For those districts that changed to the November election date, school board candidates must file intention to run by June 5. They have to file with the county superintendent now; they may no longer file only with the town.
Manchester Schools State Aid Numbers for 2012-13
K-12 2012-2013 Total Aid: $5,370,017
K-12 2011-2012 Total Aid: $5,248,309
One Year Aid Change: $121,708
Percent Aid Change: 2.3 percent
Equalization Aid: $0
Education Adequacy Aid: $0
*Choice Aid: $0
Transportation Aid: $1,845,725
Special Education Aid: $1,676,006
Security Aid: $401,647
Adjustment Aid: $1,446,639
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