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Colts Neck officials flag state aid reductions, cite military‑impact aid loss while budget is finalized
Summary
Superintendent and board leaders said the district is facing a cut in state aid after Governor Mikey Sherrill’s budget address; the superintendent cited an estimated $302,000 drop in military-impact aid and said net state-aid losses are still being finalized as the tentative budget is prepared.
At the March 18 board meeting, officials told residents the district faces a reduction in state aid that will constrain planning for the next fiscal year.
Board President Mrs. Volpe said the district is facing a 5.5% reduction in state aid following the governor’s budget address, a change she said will come as the district manages increased student enrollment and near-capacity buildings.
Superintendent Dr. Garabaye described the budget effect in more detail, identifying military-impact aid — categorical aid for districts that serve military families — as the largest individual revenue loss. She said the district recorded a $302,000 reduction in that military-impact aid from the prior year. The superintendent also said the district has seen increases in some categorical lines, including special-education and transportation aid, and that final net calculations for the tentative budget remain in progress.
‘‘We are still shaking out the tentative budget that’s going to be approved next Tuesday,’’ Dr. Garabaye said, noting that revenues must match appropriations and that the board will use a mix of tax levy, reserve accounts and other revenue sources to balance the budget.
Board members said they will continue to pursue long-range facility-planning options (leasing, reserve funding or a referendum) and urged residents to contact state officials about funding formulas they characterized as disadvantaging fiscally successful districts.
The board asked that the administration finalize and present the tentative budget at the next scheduled meeting; officials said no staffing reductions or campus closures were planned at the time of the March 18 discussion.
