Clinton Township Newsletter

1 5 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8 C l I n t o n t o W n S h I p S C h o o l d I S t r I C t l o S e S $ 3 0 2 , 6 9 4 I n S t a t e a I d On July 24, Governor Phil Murphy signed S-2 legislation regarding education funding reform for all school districts in New Jersey. With this legislation, the Clinton Township School District lost $302,694 in Adjustment Aid. As a result, the total amount of state aid went from $2,323,341 to 2,020,647. This represents a reduction in state aid of 13% for the district, which is the second highest decrease in both the state of New Jersey and in Hunterdon County. While any loss of state aid has a negative impact on a school district, , the effect of this current loss in state aid will be minimal this school year due to the recent decision by the Board of Education to reorganize the Clinton Township School District from four to three buildings This reorganization is estimated to save the district approximately $957,500, through retirements, non- renewals and transportation. The savings anticipated by the reorganization will permit the Clinton Township School District to mitigate the impact of the loss of state aid for the 2018-19 school year. While other districts in the state are facing layoffs, programs cuts and larger class sizes as a result of reductions in their state aid, the Clinton Township School District is able to handle their loss through the anticipated savings in transportation alone. Had the Board of Education not voted to reorganize the district they would have been forced to cut teaching staff and increase class sizes. At this point in time, it remains unclear to the district how this steep reduction in state aid will fully impact the district in the following year, as the 2019-2020 budget is developed. There are indications that more reduction in state aid may occur in the near future. C l I n t o n t o W n S h I p S C h o o l d I S t r I C t r e o r g a n I z a t I o n u p d a t e The plans involving the reorganization of the district schools have been right on target. Progress towards the completion of the district's reorganization has been steady all summer and, as summer programming ended the last week of July, the final phase of the reorganization moves began at the Clinton Township Middle School. As material orders arrive and classrooms get the final coat of wax, it is clear that September is right around the corner. With a strong team of both district employees and outside vendors, the final cleaning, moving and organizing of schools are scheduled for the beginning of August. Teachers will be returning on August 28 and August 29 for any remaining classroom organization and preparation, professional development and collaborative conversations with colleagues. Clinton Township Foundation for Educational Excellence will be hosting our first ever Casino Night on Friday, September 21 from 6 to 10:00 pm at Beaver Brook Country Club! CTFEE is committed to funding innovative educational programs, services and materials initiated through grant requests submitted by teachers and administrators in the Clinton Township School District. Tickets are $80 per person through August 31 and $95 per person aer 8/31. Tickets include a variety of casino games, silent auction, passed hors d'oeuvres, food stations, so drinks, wine and beer. Only 125 tickets available! Get your tickets before they are gone! If you own a business or work for a company that may be interested in supporting CTFEE, there are many sponsorship opportunities available including Gaming Table Sponsorship, Silent Auction Items, Door Prizes, and Swag Bags. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact us at ctefnj@gmail.com. Visit: www.ClintonTownshipFoundation.org for more details. CTFEE's Casino Night on Friday, September 21 to benefit CTSD!

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