DARE CUT FOR '06-'07

MILLVILLE -- With an $11 million budget shortfall, the school district
informed Police Chief Ron Harvey that it has tentatively cut the anti-drug
program DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for the 2006-2007 school year.

An anti-gang program GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) would
also be affected by the lack of funds, Superintendent Shelly Schneider said.

"Due to our severe budget crisis, we would regretfully like to inform you
that we tentatively must cut the DARE Program for the (next school year),"
she said in the letter dated earlier this month. "In the event that our
appeal to the State is successful, we would look at the allocation at that
time."

The DARE program costs the district $17,000 per year. This money goes
toward program costs including officers' salaries and other program needs.

Both the DARE and GREAT programs are offered to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.

Schneider said should the district receive their appeal, they will first
focus on positions within the district. She added the State has told them
they are very close to giving an answer.

"We would prioritize the cut list," she said. "I don't know if (DARE and
GREAT) would make the list after looking at positions."

In her letter, Schneider said the district would like to be informed if
there were any other funding sources for this program, which has been a
part of the city schools for about 20 years.

Commissioner of Public Safety Jim Parent said Friday he is interested in
sitting down with district official in order to try to find funding for
this program.

DARE, he said, allows officers the chance to interact with young people and
build a relationship with them. Parent added it also allows the students to
learn about drugs and other things that are out on the street.

"I'm going to do all I can to continue the DARE program," he said, adding
he understands the district's budget crisis. "I'm going to try to come up
with grants or something to try to fund the program this year. I want to
see the DARE program continue."

Parent said the DARE program is part of the city's Weed and Seed program
and added he feels there is a tremendous purpose to offering both DARE and
GREAT to students.

Schneider said other programs could also be affected by the budget crisis.

The kindergarten swim program, a lot of the after school activities and
programs and their transportation, field trips, and professional
development could also be cut.

While Schneider could not give specifics, she previously said a reduction
in force of less than 40 positions could also occur in the coming week.

All of these cuts are the result of a May decision that stated Bridgeton,
Millville and Vineland school districts, as well as other Abbott Districts,
would not be receiving the millions of dollars in aid which they were
seeking from the State. The decision was handed down by the state Supreme
Court. While there are provisions for appeal, the decision stated the State
will not have to increase the amount of money it sends to its poorest
school districts.

The district is seeking a $2.3 million appeal from the State.