State Asks Freehold Schools to Budget Federal Grants at 75%

With the sequester going into effect Friday, March 1, Freehold Borough and Freehold Township schools are budgeting the federal grants portion of their 2013-2014 district budget at 75 percent.

According to a White House announcement, New Jersey faces cuts close to $30 million as well as drastic cuts made to health care programs and environmental protection now that Congress failed to halt $85 billion in "sequestration" spending cuts.

Following the announcement, Freehold school business administrators explained that they do not know how the sequester could further impact their budgets.

“The state has asked us to budget our federal grants for 2014 at 75 percent of what they are for 2013,” said Freehold Township School Business Administrator Brian Boyle. “I really don't know if this will impact our operating budget.”

Freehold Borough schools are in a similar situation as township schools.

“We have budgeted our 2013-2014 federal funds at 75 percent of this year's funding. We have not yet made any adjustments to this year’s budget,” Freehold Borough Interim School Business Administrator Jim Strimple said.

Due to the sequester, New Jersey faces losing approximately $11.7 million in funding for primary and secondary education and about $17 million in funds for about 210 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.