Cranford Schools Lose $2.5 Million in State Aid

The Cranford School District will lose close to 78 percent of its state aid, according to information released by the state Department of Education Wednesday afternoon.

Cranford will lose nearly $2.5 million in state aid, but could also receive $4.2 million in other aid. Gov. Chris Christie presented his budget address Tuesday afternoon, indicating that school districts would not lose more than 5 percent of their total budget.

Earlier in the day Superintendent Gayle Carrick said she was waiting for official word on how much money the district would lose in the 2010-11 budget.

Up until now, the district had been preparing its budget with the expectation that it would lose 1o to 15 percent of its expected state aid. Now that $2.5 million has been cut, the district will have to refigure many of its plans.

The Cranford Board of Education will hold a special meeting on March 22 at Lincoln School to approve the 2010-2011 preliminary budget for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools. A public hearing will be held on the budget at Walnut Avenue School on March 29. Both meetings will start at 7 p.m.

Cranford isn't the only district to lose a large portion of its state aid. Westfield will lose 90 percent, while Scotch Plains is looking at an 84 percent cut.

Check back for more details as they become available.