New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proposed a fiscal 2007 state budget that calls for nearly level funding of direct aid to school districts.
The $30.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2007, unveiled March 21, is the new Democratic governor’s attempt to manage a projected $4.8 billion shortfall, one of the worst in recent years.
The total proposed budget for fiscal 2007 is 9.2 percent larger than the current year’s. But it includes $3 billion in reductions and restrained growth, as well as new fees and taxes.
The deep deficit forced “anguishing” choices, including holding funding almost steady for the K-12 school aid formula, the governor said in documents detailing his plan.
The $10.4 billion proposed for precollegiate education for fiscal 2007 would provide a 10.6 percent increase over the current year’s $9.4 billion. But most of the increase is earmarked for contributions to teacher pension funds.
Direct aid to districts would rise from this year’s $7.48 billion to $7.58 billion in fiscal 2007.
