The Trenton Times published the following article on December 17, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Trenton schools may face funding difficulties next year as charters open
By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on December 17, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated December 17, 2013 at 7:15 AMTRENTON — The school district’s accountant warned that the district could face some funding challenges next school year as two charter schools are set to open in the district, which would likely draw funding away from the district’s public schools.
Dave Gannon, who presented the district’s audit to the school board at its meeting last night, said last year, when Emily Fisher Charter School closed, the district saw an increase in funding, which it has since reallocated for several building maintenance projects. Next school year the district may see the reverse, he said.
“Two charter schools are expected to open and enrollment has a profound and significant impact on the district,” Gannon said.
Gannon was unable to quantify the impact to the district’s budget, but said from experience as the charter schools open, student enrollment is drawn away from the district’s public schools, along with funding for those students. Under New Jersey law, charter schools receive funds per pupil from the school district amounting to 90 percent of the per-pupil spending by the district.
While the district no longer has that funding, it also no longer has to educate those pupils.
Gannon said that after the audit of the district’s $54.8 million budget, he has no recommendations and commended the district for making significant improvements in reporting and organization over the last five years.