School district finds funds for Irving aides, global language

When students of Highland Park public schools returned to their classrooms last month, they might not have noticed any significant changes. And for this, many in the borough, and the schools administration, are breathing a sigh of relief. Drastic program cuts were averted, and since the schools levy vote in April, the district has actually obtained some additional funds.

After the openly tumultuous battle between the public schools of New Jersey and Governor Chris Christie over state funding for education, many districts knew that additional cuts, beyond the unprecedented ones made in the previous school year, were very possible. But in Highland Park at least, the state even provided a small increase from 2010-11.

Schools superintendent Frances Wood explains, “The state gave back a small portion of the amount of state aid that had been taken away, or roughly $245,000," in April. "We were pleasantly surprised, especially compared to the previous year’s cut of $1.8 million in state aid.”

Then, over the summer, additional funds have also been made available. The school district changed carriers for health benefits from a private plan to the state’s School Employees Health Benefits Plan (SEHBP), Wood said, enabling the district to realize a sizeable savings in health benefits costs.

Also, the superintendent said, the District was awarded a settlement from a claim related to the recent construction project that concluded 3 years ago.

For this year, these funds have been applied in several areas in each of the schools. "Just under $400,000 will be spent on staffing at all levels, including additional kindergarten paraprofessionals and additional teachers," Wood said.

The district also plans to slightly increase their budget line for world language materials and technology equipment, Wood said; and staff will receive more professional development opportunities.

A second wave of restored state aid, to the tune of another $245,000, was announced as the school year began; Wood said these funds will be used towards next year’s needs. “These funds will be considered thoughtfully, in order to put it to good use in the 2012-2013 school year budget,” she said.

In addition, the district was cheered last week by an award of just under $1,086,000 from the bond-funded Schools Development Authority, providing a 2-for-3 match to the district's own spending on physical plant.

The SDA announced the designation of awards to support repairs and waterproofing in the Bartle Elementary School gym; foundation waterproofing at the Irving Primary School; repairs to the HPHS clock tower and media center roof; and ventilation improvements in the high school locker rooms.