Local school officials hopeful Thursday, December 13, 2007 • By LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times Warren County school districts are projected to receive an additional $7.5 million in state school aid next year. That's a 7 percent increase over this year's funding levels. Five county school districts are among those to receive a 20 percent increase, the highest boost statewide. They are: North Warren Regional, Warren County Vocational and Blairstown, Greenwich and Lopatcong townships. Warren Tech Superintendent Robert Glowacky was floored Wednesday to hear his school district is among the districts with the greatest proposed state aid increases. He said the increase could help the county as a whole, since a significant portion of the school's budget comes from the county freeholders. "Maybe with that, the freeholders won't have to raise taxes," Glowacky said. "A 20 percent increase is just incredible." Lopatcong school board President Ernie Gallant was very happy to hear about the state aid increase for his district, but a bit worried about the only 2 percent proposed increase for Phillipsburg. Phillipsburg's amount may also decrease after three years, which could lead to program cuts at the high school. "Anything that's bad for Phillipsburg is bad for our kids," Gallant said. Gallant said he also hopes the increased school aid doesn't mean a decrease in the amount of state money available for school construction. Phillipsburg is seeking to build a new high school. Several other Warren County school districts would see significant state aid increases under Corzine's plan. Mansfield Township would get a 17 percent increase, while the following school districts are all slotted for 10 percent increases: Alpha, Belvidere, Franklin Township, Hackettstown, Knowlton Township, Oxford Township, Pohatcong Township and Warren Hills Regional. Warren Hills school board President Karen Graf said she is glad there are proposed changes to the state aid formula and hopes they are fair. She said she hopes the state Legislature gives the proposal thorough consideration despite being in a lame duck session. "We hope they don't rush into a quick fix," Graf said. "The system was broken and needed fixing." Graf is also the school board president in the Washington Township School District, which is proposed to receive a 2 percent state aid increase, along with all the other school districts in Warren County. School districts in Hunterdon County, overall, would receive an additional $3.9 million in state school aid next year, which is an 8 percent increase. Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com.