State Aid Flat for Wayne School District

The Wayne Public School District will receive exactly the same amount of state aid as it did last year, slightly less than $3.8 million.

The state Department of Education released aid figures Thursday afternoon, two days after Gov Chris Christie delivered his budget address to the state Legislature. Wayne will receive $3,784,000 in aid. 

Officials are in the middle of refining the district's 2013-14 budget. The $132.2 million tax levy, which is still being finalized, could raise the average homeowner's school taxes  by $205 if the budget is approved and all district programs and services remain as is. The district also is facing a $2.4 million budget shortfall should the status quo remain year over year, officials have said.

Superintendent Ray Gonzalez could not be reached for comment.

Passaic County school districts will receive $733.6 million, or about $5.8 million more, than they received last year.

Ten Passaic County school districts will receive more aid this year than last year. Aid to eight districts, including Passaic County Technical School and the Passaic Valley Regional School District, remains flat. 

"Throughout my time in office I have continuously argued that in order to grow New Jersey’s economy we must invest in education, and my proposed budget is a reflection of my commitment to our educational system and communities in Passaic County and across the state," Christie said in a news release. "The $5.8 million increase to Passaic County districts is part of a bold budget that continues to prioritize education and funds schools at the highest levels in New Jersey’s history."

There will be a special public work session about the district's 2013-14 budget at Wayne Valley High School March 14 at 7 p.m. 

The board is scheduled to adopt the budget at a special meeting March 27.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.