Schools

West Morris Regional Board Chief: 'Every Little Bit Helps'

The high school district serving Washington Township will receive an additional $458K in state aid next school year.

The will of $458,593 for the 2011-12 school year, after Gov. Chris Christie promised that every school district in New Jersey during his budget address on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The district’s total aid will amount to $3,598,240 for next school year, whereas it was $3,139,647 in 2010-11.

“Every little bit helps,” said West Morris Regional High School District Board of Education President Cristen Forrester. “We were hoping for the aid to be flat (compared to last year), and had set a list of priorities to evaluate if the aid was being cut. But it’s an increase, and we’re happy about that.”

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The district, whose teachers are in their second consecutive year without a contract, would not have to use the additional state aid to put toward retroactive pay if a settlement was reached between the board and teachers’ union before the start of next school year. Additional funds have been appropriated for that purpose, according to Forrester.

Forrester said she’s already begun conversations with district Chief Financial Officer Douglas Pechanec, Superintendent di Battista, and that the school board regarding the increase in aid.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The board will present ideas of how to allocate the money ready for its Monday, Feb. 28 board meeting. The meeting will be held at Mendham High School at 7 p.m. The board’s finance committee will hold a closed session before the start of the open board meeting.  


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here