Watchung, Green Brook Schools Expected To See State Aid Increase

WATCHUNG/GREEN BROOK, NJ — Watchung and Green Brook schools can expect to see an increase in their state aid for the 2019-20 school year.

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration this week released the proposed state aid numbers for every school district in the 2019-20 school year.

Watchung Hills Regional is expected to see an 9.62 percent increase in state aid. This means the district would receive a total of $1,589,377 or $139,510 more in state aid.

"We are very happy that the State is working to get closer to funding the formula each year. The increase in aid will allow us to revisit some of the cuts we made when putting next year's budget together, and, ultimately, support us achieving the goals laid out in our Five Year Strategic Plan," said Elizabeth Jewett, WHRHS Superintendent.

Green Brook is expected to see an 8.27 percent increase in state aid. This means the district would receive a total of $1,222,581 or $93,368 more in state aid.

Watchung Borough is expected to see an 8.2 percent increase in state aid. This means the district would receive a total of $592,997 or $44,961 more in state aid.

Bound Brook received the highest increase in aid in the county with 12.41 percent.

Hillsborough Township received the least with a decrease of 2.11 percent. It was also the only Somerset County school district to get a decrease.

Overall, state aid would increase 2.43 over the 2018-19 school year under a plan that requires approval from the state Legislature. That number would be smaller than the 3.5 percent increase Murphy originally proposed last year, but that original plan had no state aid cuts for any district.

Here is a list of nearby Somerset County districts to compare. They are listed from the highest amount of aid to least. (The first number is the percentage decrease or increase in aid; the second is the amount of aid; the third is the loss or gain in aid dollars):

1. Bound Brook Boro, Somerset 12.41% $15,507,546 $1,711,628
2. Somerset Hills Regional, Somerset 12.04% $1,455,450 $156,385
3. Bernards Twp, Somerset 11.23% $4,666,622 $470,965
4. Manville Boro, Somerset 10.29% $10,295,422 $960,390
5. Warren Twp, Somerset 10.20% $1,658,159 $153,445
6. Watchung Hills Regional, Somerset 9.62% $1,589,377 $139,510
7. Montgomery Twp, Somerset 9.35% $4,908,612 $419,656
8. Green Brook Twp, Somerset 8.27% $1,222,581 $93,368
9. Watchung Boro, Somerset 8.20% $592,997 $44,961
10. Bedminster Twp, Somerset 6.75% $822,289 $51,960
11. Bridgewater-Raritan Reg, Somerset 3.94% $10,431,111 $395,158
12. South Bound Brook, Somerset 1.47% $3,681,063 $53,383
13. Franklin Twp, Somerset 0.47% $14,031,573 $65,234
14. Hillsborough Twp, Somerset -2.11% $24,399,824 -$526,434

Click here to view the full state-wide list.

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