Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Loch Arbour requests to join Ocean Township regional school district in effort to cut costs | NJ.com

Loch Arbour requests to join Ocean Township regional school district in effort to cut costs

Published: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 8:11 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 8:13 PM

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LOCH ARBOUR — Trying to force the state to revise its funding formula before the start of the new school year, Loch Arbour has asked to become part of a regional school district.

To no avail, the tiny oceanfront community — which has the highest per-student cost in New Jersey — has gone to court and petitioned the state for financial relief from a second year of education costs that have doubled and tripled property tax bills.

Local officials e-mail letters weekly to Monmouth County Schools Superintendent Carole Morris asking for an update on their request to break up the district. And weekly they’re given the standard answer: The state is gathering information. Please be patient.

"In the meantime, we’re dying a slow death. We’re bleeding money and no one seems to care," said Loch Arbour trustees president Betty McBain. "When you say one of your towns is paying $80,000 per student, that doesn’t make anyone sit up and take notice?"

Loch Arbour’s troubles started three years ago when the state Legislature under then-Gov. Jon Corzine abolished a school funding agreement between Loch Arbour, which has no schools, and