Schools' aid requests met with conditions More oversight for districts seeking increases Friday, April 06, 2007 • BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger Staff Already warning of tough audits, the Corzine administration has further stepped up its oversight of eight urban school districts that want more than 3 percent increases in state aid for next year, saying it will now need to approve every purchase and new hire for the next three months. State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy yesterday sent letters to the districts -- including Elizabeth, East Orange and New Brunswick -- that laid out the conditions that will come with asking for the additional money. "This is all helping us make an informed decision and making sure all the appropriated money is being well spent," Davy said in an interview yesterday. "Could there be places in the budget where they could make a reallocation or even reductions to save some money?" Gov. Jon Corzine's proposed budget provides every district in the state at least 3 percent increase in aid, but these districts are among 31 in the state that fall under the Abbott v. Burke school equity rulings that entitle them to additional aid of they can prove it's needed. The other five districts falling under the new orders are Camden, Passaic, Gloucester City, Bridgeton and Salem. The eight districts have asked for an additional $133 million in aid, according to the state, more than four times allotted to them if held to the 3 percent. But the new conditions didn't go over well with some of the districts and their advocates. Several have already complained that ongoing fiscal audits of their spending are an open threat to hold down funding requests or potentially see even less than the promised 3 percent. "The department continues to use a hammer to discriminatorily treat districts that seek additional funding, rather than insuring Abbott children get the programs they need," said Richard Shapiro, attorney for several of the districts. Elizabeth is asking for an additional $25 million, a nearly 10 percent increase, and local officials said it's needed to offset rising costs, especially in pensions, insurance and the opening of three new schools. The district's chief spokesman said the state is essentially forcing cuts in programs while demanding higher achievement for its students, but he added the new order hardly comes as a surprise any more. "It would be foolhardy to say the state will just walk away if we fight it," said spokesman Donald Goncalves. "The state is going to be very active in pursuing these issues, and we better get used to it." John Mooney may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com, or 973-392-1548. © 2007 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.