Before JC could even think about raising taxes. They better read through that audit that was done to the school district. The things that were found were ridiculous. Children being on the payroll, people over 100 years old being paid, OT being paid out everywhere. There are leaks of money all over the place in this school district. The state is probably telling the city to clean up their act. If the school district follows the audit's advice, the $3.2m cut won't make a difference and its probably money better spent elsewhere.

Note that JC is paying only about 10% of the tab for their local education. The state is paying the rest. This reduction is aid is going to continue to decrease until we pay 100% of our tab. Taxes will increase.

Time is now to reform on our local school board. Epps makes up to $300,000 a year, the place is full of political cronies, maintenance workers are pulling in $200,000 through overtime abuse. School board members, who oversee this criminal enterprices, are:

William DeRosa, Chairperson
Franklin L. Williams, Vice Chairperson
Ed Cheatam
Anthony Cruz
Anthony R. Cucci
Dr. Peter J. Donnelly
Jeffrey Dublin
Suzanne T. Mack
Angel L. Valentin

I guess it's a case on who 'barks' the loudest get the most money. JC must bark like a scared whippet!

Jersey City takes hit in state educational aid - will receive $3.2 million less

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City appears to be Hudson County's biggest loser when it comes to state school aid, according to figures released yesterday by the state Department of Education.

The state-run district will receive $3.2 million less for the upcoming school year than it received this year, according to the released numbers - $425.3 compared to $428.5 million.

But just because its state aid is cut doesn't mean the district won't get the money, state and local officials said - by state law, city property taxpayers are required to pay the difference.

The $3.2 million deficit translates to an $87-per-year hike on the school tax bill for a homeowner whose property is assessed at $100,000, city Business Administrator Brian O'Reilly said.

"The district is disappointed that the state DOE's budget has not considered the rise of health benefits and energy costs that universally affect school districts statewide," said Deputy Superintendent Francis X. Dooley.

"Of course we will be closely examining all departments to identify cost savings that will have the least negative impact on our students in classroom instruction," he added.

The struggle over a final state aid figure isn't over, all sides said.

That number will be determined by DOE "in the Abbott budget review process," state Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy said yesterday in a conference call with reporters.

Jersey City is one of 31 so-called "Abbott" districts that receives an enormous amount of state aid. Union City, West New York, Hoboken and Harrison are also Abbott districts.

Davy said Jersey City's reduction was based on the fact local residents pay far below the state average to support their school system. The current school tax levy raises roughly $79.6 million of the district's $600 million budget. The $3.2 million cut would push the amount raised by the local school tax levy up to $82.8 million.

Overall, Hudson County school districts will receive about $15 million more in state aid - a 1.9 percent increase, state officials said.

Based on the figures released yesterday, Weehawken and the one-school district town of Guttenberg were the biggest winners in Hudson County, each scoring 12.9 percent hikes in state aid.