Post by admin on Dec 20, 2008 16:57:14 GMT -5
www.app.com/article/20081220/NEWS01/812200325/1004/NEWS01
FREEHOLD — The borough's governing officials have voted to donate $400,000 to the local school board, which has struggled financially in recent years.
The money will come from the sale of the old police station, located at 54 Hudson Street. The Englishtown firm U.S. Property Group LLC paid $600,000 for the property, according to the resolution passed Monday authorizing the borough's donation.
The building will be converted into professional space, said Mayor Michael Wilson.
"We got a tax ratable. And that's good for everybody," Wilson said.
Schools Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell could not be reached for comment. She has said that the money will go toward the construction of new classrooms, part of a facilities plan school officials created to address overcrowding issues.
Borough officials want to share the sale proceeds because the local school system has been burdened with increases in enrollment and state mandates, and decreases in state aid, according to the resolution.
"They (school officials) have got their difficulties," Wilson said.
The sale, in a sense, evens the score between the borough and the district as well. In the 1980s, school officials let the borough keep the sale proceeds from another vacant school building, Wilson said.
"Let's balance it out," Wilson said.
New Jersey School Boards Association spokesman Michael Yaple says local government and school officials often cooperate with one another.
"These days, you're seeing the schoolhouse and town hall work together more and more," Yaple said. "Everyone realizes the funding . . . comes from the same property tax dollars."
School districts and municipalities often share services and will coordinate on purchasing agreements. Towns have also given property and tax money to local school districts, Yaple said.
"Local government has to work together," Yaple said.
Police were based at the Hudson Street building from 1979 to 2002, when they moved to their new headquarters on Jackson Street. Before then, the building was a school.
The building — standing on approximately 1.35 acres of land — is currently vacant.
A call to U.S. Property Group seeking comment was not returned.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or
kpredham@app.com
This report contains information from previous Asbury Park Press reports.
FREEHOLD — The borough's governing officials have voted to donate $400,000 to the local school board, which has struggled financially in recent years.
The money will come from the sale of the old police station, located at 54 Hudson Street. The Englishtown firm U.S. Property Group LLC paid $600,000 for the property, according to the resolution passed Monday authorizing the borough's donation.
The building will be converted into professional space, said Mayor Michael Wilson.
"We got a tax ratable. And that's good for everybody," Wilson said.
Schools Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell could not be reached for comment. She has said that the money will go toward the construction of new classrooms, part of a facilities plan school officials created to address overcrowding issues.
Borough officials want to share the sale proceeds because the local school system has been burdened with increases in enrollment and state mandates, and decreases in state aid, according to the resolution.
"They (school officials) have got their difficulties," Wilson said.
The sale, in a sense, evens the score between the borough and the district as well. In the 1980s, school officials let the borough keep the sale proceeds from another vacant school building, Wilson said.
"Let's balance it out," Wilson said.
New Jersey School Boards Association spokesman Michael Yaple says local government and school officials often cooperate with one another.
"These days, you're seeing the schoolhouse and town hall work together more and more," Yaple said. "Everyone realizes the funding . . . comes from the same property tax dollars."
School districts and municipalities often share services and will coordinate on purchasing agreements. Towns have also given property and tax money to local school districts, Yaple said.
"Local government has to work together," Yaple said.
Police were based at the Hudson Street building from 1979 to 2002, when they moved to their new headquarters on Jackson Street. Before then, the building was a school.
The building — standing on approximately 1.35 acres of land — is currently vacant.
A call to U.S. Property Group seeking comment was not returned.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or
kpredham@app.com
This report contains information from previous Asbury Park Press reports.
Why the delay in getting the money to the schools? 
