Facilities bill a milestone

The governor was scheduled to sign the much-touted Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, better known as the School Construction Bill, yesterday, which will give school districts’ a remarkable boost in updating and building new school facilities.

The biggest chunk of the money, $6 billion, will go toward the 30 special needs districts, including Asbury Park, Keansburg, Long Branch and Neptune, with another $2.5 billion earmarked for regular districts, and $100 million for county and vocational schools.

The bill will provide 100 percent state funding for new school construction for the special needs districts, and as much as 40 percent for regular districts.

Currently, according to Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina (R-13), Hazlet receives 16.3 percent of its debt service cost from the state; Keyport, 29.7 percent; and Matawan-Aberdeen, 11.9 percent. Holmdel and Middletown currently receive zero percent of their debt service.

Holmdel will not receive any funding for its May 1996 referendum, while Middletown was made an exception and will receive $2 million annually to help pay down its massive December 1996 referendum bill.

Azzolina credited Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13) for the successful passage of the bill, noting that he "worked long and hard to make sure that the 40 percent aid provision to suburban school districts remained in the bill."

The bill is a real milestone for school districts across the state and should keep them smiling.