News in Brief: A National Roundup

New Jersey voters approved a record number of local school budgets in statewide voting last week. The 88 percent passage rate was the highest in state history, surpassing the previous high of 86.5 percent in 1977.

State officials and observers attributed the success to the state's strong economy, increased state aid, and a sense of confidence in the stewardship over schools by local school boards.

One highlight of the April 18 results came out of the 1,280-student Wallington school district, where voters passed the school budget—a $10.9 million plan—for the first...