Thursday, March 18, 2010
The school district's state aid cuts were much steeper than expected.
SCHOOLS|Yesterday
State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler on Wednesday defended the governor's significant cut to New Jersey school districts' state aid, telling reporters that previous Democratic administrations and the loss of $1 billion in federal stimulus funds are partly to blame for the reduction. 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. In a conference call with reporters, Schundler said that districts had been told to anticipate this reduction in aid. "Districts had the understanding that it would be 15 percent and it is a …
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Cranford is looking at a 78 percent cut 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…
Long-sitting incumbent seeks fifth term on Board of Education.
After 12 years on the school board, Mary Catherine Sudiak still has work to do. Sudiak is seeking her fifth term on Cranford's Board of Education. She is one of three uncontested candidates. "We don't sit on our laurels," she said. "We're always looking to improve." This full-time mother of two–son Billy is a sophomore at Villanova University and daughter Christine is a sophomore at Cranford High School–is active in both the Cranford and Union County communities, sitting on numerous boards and volunteering for positions including, but not limited to: Trailside Museum board in Watchung, Parent-Teacher Council board, Cranford Junior Women's Club, and Boy Scout Troop 75. "I try to stay in touch with other things in the community," she said. "…
40.661327
-74.312251
Cranford High School
201 W End Pl
/articles/sudiak-we-dont-rest-on-our-laurels
44712
/locations/316371
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A quick FAQ to help you understand the governor's budget proposal.
Gov. Chris Christie's proposed FY 2011 budget will be discussed and debated in town and school chambers over the next few months. Patch has put together this list of frequently asked questions about the governor's proposed budget as a way to help readers understand the proposals. What is this property tax constitutional amendment? Christie is asking the state legislature to approve an amendment to the state constitution calling for a cap of 2.5 percent in annual property tax increases. In addition he is calling for a constitutional amendment capping state budget increases at 2.5 percent. What is the procedure to amend the state constitution? Both the Assembly and the Senate will need to pass the amendment by a two thirds majority. The …
Cranford schools fear more cuts, tighter caps.
Cranford's Board of Education urged Gov. Chris Christie to suspend the 2010 school budget elections and demanded that he return the $179,767 taken from the district's surplus to Cranford taxpayers. Education officials feared rumors of additional cuts and a 2.5 percent property tax cap at Monday night's regular meeting. They passed two resolutions advising Christie to rethink his budget strategy. The governor will propose slashed state aid funding for New Jersey school districts on Tuesday. "We play by the rules," said Robert Carfagno, BOE business administrator. "We were under the 2 percent (maximum allowed for accumulated fund reserve) that we needed to be and so now we lose that money. We just want to see if the state can find another …
40.65363
-74.297001
Board of Education
132 Thomas St
/articles/school-officials-demand-taxpayer-money-returned
44753
/locations/314966
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The repair work is slated to begin after the school year ends.
Cranford's Lehigh Avenue pedestrian tunnel will soon be a less leaky, well-lit and puddle-free pathway for Hillside Avenue students. The specific work entails relining the pipework with epoxy to prevent water from leaking onto pedestrians in the tunnel, many of them students traveling to Hillside Avenue Elementary School, said Mayor Mark Smith. Other work for the approximately $100,000 project includes additional lighting and improved drainage in the tunnel. Funding for the project was approved in last year's capital budget and work is slated to begin just after the school year ends. The township committee approved a resolution for the town clerk to authorize advertisement for bids for the project at an official committee meeting in …
40.64806
-74.297
N Lehigh Ave & Stratford Ter
/articles/100k-lehigh-tunnel-makeover-to-start-after-school
/locations/305566
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bret Schundler discusses surplus freezes, possible reductions in state aid allocations.
Bret Schundler, newly sworn in as New Jersey's Commissioner of Education, defended the cuts in school aid already enacted by the Christie administration and warned educators Monday that more are on the way. Schundler, who spoke at the Garden State Coalition of Schools meeting at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School Monday night, centered the topic of conversation on the current financial state of education in New Jersey. Many districts represented received notice recently they would not be getting the remainder of the state aid they were expecting. For the Cranford School District, $179,767 was cut for the remainder of this school year, with another 10 to 15 percent in state aid likely to be withheld from the 2010-2011 budget year. "We …
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The report cards also reveal students' performance on state tests.
SCHOOLS|Wednesday, February 17
The Cranford School District spent less money per pupil than the state average last year, according to the annual School Report Cards released last week by the state Department of Education. Cranford spent $13,565 per pupil during the 2008-2009 school year, compared to the state average of $15,168. Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, classroom instructional costs, support services, administrative costs and equipment. The School Report Cards are compiled each year to show the public how their schools are doing. In addition to comparing a district's cost to the state average, the report also reveals how the district compares to other districts of a similar budget type. In that category (which does not encompass …
40.661327
-74.312251
Cranford High School
201 W End Pl
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44712
/locations/275220
40.66222
-74.319609
Brookside Place School
700 Brookside Pl
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44707
/locations/275221
40.66496
-74.290569
Bloomingdale Avenue School
200 Bloomingdale Ave
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44706
/locations/275222
40.668115
-74.297419
Orange Avenue School
901 Orange Ave
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44710
/locations/275223
40.645073
-74.310543
Livingston Avenue School
75 Livingston Ave
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44709
/locations/275224
40.645428
-74.304618
Walnut Avenue School
370 Walnut Ave
/articles/report-card-shows-cranford-schools-spend-less-per-student-than-state-average
44711
/locations/275225
Friday, February 12, 2010
The cuts come in light of the governor's attempt to slash $1.5 billion from the state budget.
SCHOOLS|Friday, February 12
The Cranford School District is likely to suffer a $179,767 cut in state aid for the remainder of this fiscal year, the governor's office has announced. The move is part of Gov. Chris Christie's plan to slash $1.5 billion from the current state budget, $475 million of which will be cuts to school aid. The governor made the announcement on Thursday as part of an address to the state legislature, during which he declared a fiscal "state of emergency." In addition the cuts to local school districts, Christie also froze funding to higher education, hospitals and NJ Transit. The cuts to Cranford are significantly less than what most New Jersey school districts are facing. The state is factoring in the amount of excess surplus school districts …
Monday, February 8, 2010
Students say the Illuminate event was an opportunity to be symbolically united with the people of Haiti.
The darkness that usually encompasses Cranford High School at sundown was kept at bay on Friday with over 200 luminaries sold by students to raise $250 for Haiti relief. After lighting the luminaries, students, teachers and administrators held hands for a moment of silence. The students then sang "Lord Bless You and Keep You," led by CHS music teacher Anthony Rafaniell, who conceived the event. CHS interim principal Florence S. Senyk said the effort put forth by the students was a typical example of their generosity and spirit of service. "It is inspirational and I just wish that more adults could witness all the good that all of our children do," Senyk said. "It reflects the way they've been raised and their value system." Superintendent …
40.661327
-74.312251
Cranford High School
201 W End Pl
/articles/chs-lights-up-for-haiti
44712
/locations/269547
