School funding concerns arise due to the Fair Funding Formula
State aid fund reductions for the Lenape Regional High School District will occur if the Fair Funding Formula is approved.
As the school year has come to a close and the summer months are rolling in, the Lenape Regional High School District recently recognized Superintendent Carol Birnbohm as the 2019 Burlington County Superintendent of the Year.
Shamong Superintendent Christine Vespe, Southampton Superintendent Michael Harris and Woodland Township Superintendent Misty Weiss presented Birnbohm a plaque.
Vespe is also the president of the Burlington County Association of School Administrators, which selects the Superintendent of the Year, which must be someone who advocates at the county level and state level.
Vespe spoke about Birnbohm, saying, “We as Lenape Regional superintendents are blessed to have her with us. Thank you for all you do, this is well deserved, and best of luck going forward as Superintendent of the Year.”
After receiving this award, Birnbohm went on to discuss recently passed legislation regarding school funding called the Fair Funding Formula. A decision has not been made yet by Gov. Murphy on whether to sign or veto it.
Certain schools are being labeled as overfunded, including the LRHSD and six of the eight sending districts.
Currently, $4,342 per pupil is provided in state aid to the LRHSD, and if the legislation is approved, funding could be reduced to $3,100 per pupil.
Birnbohm said this label is unfair, further stating, “I don’t know how they could call us overfunded when there are school districts out there that are getting $10,000 per pupil, some as high as $25,000 per pupil in state aid.”
It was also stated that 22 of 541 school districts receive more than half of the $8 billion given in state aid, while the other 519 districts have to share the remaining funds.
Birnbohm said the district has been responsible with the budget thus far, being cautious of program costs and staff.
Although nothing has been approved yet, there are concerns for how high taxes could be raised and how it could affect school programs.
“We’re not going to worry yet, but we’re working to look to see what we can do to plan for the future in the event that this does happen,” Birnbohm said.
In other news:
● There were 1,656 LRHSD students who graduated on June 21.
● There was a request made by Nora Pearce for the district to include Friends of Burlington County Animal Shelter as an approved community service organization.
The next LRHSD board meeting will be held on July 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lenape District Administration Building.
