North Bergen schools to lose $2 million in state aid
Two weeks ago Gov. Chris Christie signed an executive order that will take back state aid to school districts across the state of New Jersey in order to balance the current state budget with its $2.2 billion deficit.
Hudson County will lose almost $44.2 million, with Union City receiving the largest cut at $29.3 million.
Christie has said that districts should dip into their surplus funds to finish out the year.
North Bergen Spokesperson Paul Swibinski said that North Bergen is slated to lose $2.058 million. He said it will hurt the district.
“The North Bergen Board of Education is going to have an impossible choice of either cutting $2 million from their budget or raising taxes, and neither one of those options is very desirable, so this is not good news for North Bergen,” said Swibinski. “It’s not good news for property taxpayers in most towns in New Jersey.”
North Bergen’s school budget is $111 million, with $39 million being levied on taxpayers and the rest from state and federal aid. Last year’s school budget was up $1.5 million from the year before.
They have a surplus of $3.7 million, according to the state.
Seminar for those trying to quit smoking at Palisades
Palisades Medical Center will house a free quit-smoking seminar on March 9. The event will be held at their location, 7600 River Rd. Free transportation to the event will arrive at 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue at 5:30 p.m.
There will also be free parking.
It will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Victor Marchione, MD, Director of the “I Quit Smoking Program” at PMC will be the featured speaker.
The program helps patients kick the habit. It is designed by progressions in the field of tobacco addiction and aggressively treats addition to ensure that quit rates are over 15 times the national average.
Space is limited. For more information call Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Child advocate volunteers needed
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently in need of child advocates, who represent the interests of abused and neglected children in court.
CASA works through trained community volunteers to insure that services and assistance are made available to children while helping them find safe and permanent homes.
An Information session regarding the program and the role of its volunteers will be held on Tuesday, March 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room # 901 at the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City.
Hudson County has more than 750 children in foster care, many of whom were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, email mveenhof@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.