Schools
might get heating help as bill gains on spending
caps
Saturday, December 10, 2005 •
BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger
Staff
Faced with an unexpected increase in
energy costs, New Jersey school districts could get a break
from the state's controversial spending limits to help them
pay their utility bills.
The Assembly Education Committee
unanimously endorsed a bill on Thursday that would exempt
some utility increases from the spending caps imposed two
years ago. Under the rules, districts cannot raise spending
by more than 3.01 percent this year.
District officials say costs for
gasoline, heating fuel and natural gas have skyrocketed this
year, putting them in the hole for hundreds of thousands of
dollars for which they hadn't budgeted.
In Monmouth County, Marlboro
Superintendent David Abbott said he has been forced to turn
off the heat in his schools at 11 a.m. each day to help
contain costs. He said that without further relief from the
spending caps, he would have to make up the funds from other
school programs.
Abbott said his district can save $10,000
to $20,000 for every degree the heat is lowered.
"We have really tried to save money in
terms of energy," Abbott said. "This (bill) would be a
welcome first breath of air for us."
With the Legislature in lame-duck
session, the immediate prospects for the bill are uncertain.
Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Mercer), chairwoman of the Senate
Education Committee, said her panel will not meet anymore
this year. Lobbyists said they may try to pass the bill
through the Senate Budget Committee instead or go for
expedited approval in both chambers.
Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Essex),
chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, said it will
be an "uphill battle" to get the measure through the full
Legislature before the end of the year. Once the new
Legislature convenes next month, the process must begin
anew.
The schools' concerns over the spending
rules go well beyond fuel costs. Officials had hoped the new
bill also would ease limits on districts' surplus funds. But
the Assembly committee on Thursday removed that provision
from the bill.
© 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
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