TRENTON – Even though the amount of state aid parochial and private schools will receive in the proposed 2012 budget will be the same as the prior year, Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said the funding is one way is actually more.
The reason: Enrollment in such schools has declined, so per-pupil costs are actually higher.
Sidamon-Eristoff admitted at today’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing that might be “small solace” but it is the case.
The amount of state aid for those schools is $79.5 million.
However, Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36) of Passaic, who asked a question about state aid for non-public schools, said that while that is a valid argument, freezes in grants for such things like technology actually put them at a financial disadvantage.
“It seems to me we are not being consistent,” he said.
The Christie Administration has proposed restoring $240 million in state aid to public schools, after cutting more than $800 million last year.
