Fear over Abbott change Division in charge of program will merge with another. Official: All main functions will continue. Sunday, April 01, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times Contrary to what some may think, the state Department of Education is not killing off the division in charge of New Jersey's 31 poorest school districts. Instead it plans to merge the division into another as part of a major overhaul at the state agency. State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy said it's the result of increased mandates and fewer resources. "The reorganization is the product of 18 months of my own observations since I took this post," she told the Assembly Budget Committee on Thursday, "and more than six months of deliberation with a wide range of people over the best way for DOE to get its work done." Current DOE Chief of Staff Penelope Lattimer will take over as the assistant commissioner of district and school improvement. Abbott school programs will be under this new division. "All of the main functions of the Abbott Division will continue," DOE spokesman Rich Vespucci said. State Senate minority leader Leonard Lance, R-Hunterdon/Warren, said he hopes DOE continues to be mindful of the needs of Abbott school districts. However, he said, reorganization is not the priority. "I want to see a new school funding formula in place," Lance said. Friday marked Abbott Assistant Commissioner Gordon MacInnes' last day on the job. Phillipsburg School District Superintendent Gordon Pethick has said indications were that MacInnes' departure spelled the end of the Abbott division. "We've received a lot of positive things from Abbott funding," Pethick said. "I would hate to see that reduced to the point that it limits our programs." Phillipsburg has fought for almost every nickel it has received in state funding in the past few years. Phillipsburg receives nearly 70 percent of its $61 million budget from the state. Phillipsburg and other districts have complained about the state's offer of a flat 3 percent increase that forces them to undergo additional scrutiny if they want more. Davy refuted the criticism on Thursday, saying that under a court order DOE can determine if money is being spent unwisely and shift a district's existing funding in lieu of handing out more aid. Gov. Jon S. Corzine plans to introduce a revamped school spending formula for the 2008-09 school year. The concept centers on funding districts based on the amount of special needs students rather than location. MacInnes said it's too early to predict what impact it will have on existing Abbott districts. MacInnes, 65, said he's proud of what he was able to do for early childhood literacy in his tenure. The Morristown resident gave notice of his resignation from his $120,000 Trenton job in February. "I've grown fatigued by the idea of 50 miles each way with 56 stoplights," MacInnes said. "I think I have done a lot of things I wanted to do (in office)." MacInnes said he has a job offer on the table but would not elaborate. Vespucci said the Abbott office will have a director in the new division. That person has not been named. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2007 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.