Gov. Chris Christie will apply for $268 million in federal education aid passed today by Congress that would provide enough money to save an estimated 3,900 teaching jobs in New Jersey, his spokesman said in a statement. President Obama signed the bill this evening. If the state did not apply for the money, the U.S. Department of Education would have the power to distribute the funds within the state as it sees fit, according to the bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While Gov. Chris Christie believes that using this type of non-recurring funding for operating expenses is ill advised because it will disappear after one year, the governor will apply for the education funding passed by the House today in order to ensure it is managed and distributed to local school districts by the state of New Jersey, and not the federal government,” spokesman Michael Drewniak said in a statement. “Guaranteeing New Jersey is in control of these education dollars will ensure that these funds are used by all school districts to help restore some of the federal stimulus funds lost in this year’s difficult budget.”
The administration appeared to be wavering about whether it would apply. Last week, Drewniak said the administration “certainly” would accept the funding, but on Monday he said the issue was still undecided. Read more in Star Ledger.
Great job, Gov! Kick the fiscal responsibility can down the road, further empower the NJEA and more deeply entrench more administrators and vice principals. Bump up their pensions and have another budget fight next year. What happened to just saying no and doing the right thing? Let the school boards take responsibility for teachers losing jobs – it’s they that decide how their money is allocated!
This is irresponsible treatment of the taxpayers – nationwide!
As for ‘federal stimulus funds lost in this year’s difficult budget’ deal with it like the rest of us – CUT BACK!
Does everyone know that without public school their can be no private school. the aid comes to public school where you get for the private schools. But all the public schools should pass the great test… Where there is no money in a public school there can be no passing. Lets use all of it to transport children all over for 12 months over the year. I know, lets have separate busses for boys and girls.
How about just getting their and learning who cares who rides with whom. Lets help children they will be working later and paying into the system that you can steal from later in life. Thanks private schools,
the well does run out, lakewood will run out, and then where will you go??????
One more thing. Freedom of speech is still in Lakewood, so everyone who is paying taxes has the right to say whatever they want.
Or print. The truth is the truth no matter what you believe. Lakewood will run out of money, it has to. You transport 5800 public school children, you now bus 22,0000 private school children. All of the money does not come from the state. You must be able to figure out you will bankrupt the town with bussing. Again the well will run dry, it has to.