Schundler Defends School Budget Cuts

Acting Education Commissioner Bret Schundler defended the cuts in school aid already enacted by the Chris Christie administration and warned educators earlier this week that more are on the way.

Schundler spoke at a meeting in Summit of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, a lobbying group that counts many suburban districts among its membership.

Most districts around the state already have received notice that they would not be getting the remainder of state aid they were expecting, while most are expecting aid cuts for the 2010-11 budget year as the governor tries to plug a gaping budget gap.

"We all know we're in trouble here—in the state, in the country, in the local districts," said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the coalition. "Being on the outside and angry doesn't get you very far."

Schundler joined state legislators from the 21st District, including Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit), Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) and Sen. Tom Kean (R-Westfield), in a panel discussion about state aid cuts, budget caps and salary negotiations, among other items.

Schundler said that although there are many things to be excited about in the world of New Jersey education, the state is facing financial hardships that can't be overlooked. Among his first acts after taking office, Christie cancelled $475 million in state aid to schools.

"Education is not just about money but money is very important," Schundler said. "I want to highlight that this year, this current fiscal year that we're in, and the $475 million that was reserved, I want you to know that wasn't something any of us in Trenton wanted to do. It's something that ultimately we felt we had to do. The state would have run out of money before the end of the fiscal year if we had not cut spending."

A Chatham parent asked Schundler, the former mayor of Jersey City, if districts would have more control over their budgets under Christie's administration.

Schundler said yes. "We're not going to try to overwhelm you with burdensome regulations," he said. "We do want to give you more flexibility at the local level to spend your dollars."

A Livingston school board member asked about state funding for school construction projects, especially in districts where voters approved spending local tax dollars with the understanding that the state would provide 40 percent of the funds for construction.

Schundler said it is still unclear how much aid will be available and how much will be allocated to each program. 

But despite some tension around talks of budget cuts, there was some positivity.

"It's refreshing to have a governor who says what he means," said Munoz, "and we believe he's going to do what he says he's going to do. We're here for you even though it may not feel that way tonight."