Schools
School enrollment across New Jersey is flat, but more than half of the state’s school districts are in decline, particularly in the Northwest and South. We have mapped school district enrollment change in percentage terms from 2010 through the last school year and found some interesting details – read our analysis and check out the interactive map. The story of a shrinking population in Atlantic County since the recession and casino closures is well known. But did you know that districts such as Buena Regional, Avalon, Margate and Ventnor are still declining? It is also interesting to look at how districts such as Haddonfield, with its train station and walkable downtown, are seeing a rise in enrollment. While record declines in Camden City, under state supervision, is perhaps a warning for Atlantic City. Meanwhile, NJSpotlight shows how teacher and administrative salaries are edging higher across the state.
Those flamingos are up to something. Image via @hash_tag_paul on Instagram.
Weekend Weather
It’s been a rough week for beach-goers and the National Weather Service is now warning about heavy rain through Saturday and there is a gale watch in effect along the Atlantic County coastline. NJ Advance Media says we could see a rare July Nor’Easter – with a winter weather pattern forming in the summer.
In the rest of the headlines today, Ventnor’s beaches have reopened (but some are still closed in AC), errr – there was a bear in Marlton, and a team of Atlantic City teens is working on transforming a shipping container into an off-the-grid command center. All that and more below:
EPA Proposing Plan to Remove Lead, Arsenic from Gibbsboro Superfund Site–The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new plan to remove dangerous contaminates from the soil of an outdated paint plant in Gibbsboro. The new plan would remove lead and arsenic, which are toxic and potentially damaging to the public's health, from contaminated soil and sediment at the United States Avenue Burn superfund site in Gloucester County. www.snjtoday.com
3 from Mass. charged with human trafficking in N.J.–ATLANTIC COUNTY -- Three Massachusetts residents have been charged with forcing a 23-year-old into prostitution in Atlantic City, authorities said. NJ.com
7 A.C. beaches remain closed, Ventnor’s reopen–The number of Jersey Shore beaches closed due to high levels of bacteria fell to seven Thursday, all of them in Atlantic City, the state Department of Environmental Protection reported. Philly.com
Interactive Map: Teacher, Administrative Salaries Edge Higher Across the State–The average salaries for New Jersey's public school teachers and administrators rose again last year, a possible sign that the mass exodus of experienced staff earlier this decade has slowed. www.njspotlight.com
PSE&G Wants to Spend $2.7B to Replace Aging Gas Infrastructure–Public Service Electric & Gas is seeking approval to expand its gas modernization program, asking the state to allow it to spend up to $2.7 billion over five years, or about $540 million annually. www.njspotlight.com
Riders to bike from Philly to A.C. Sunday for annual fundraiser–ATLANTIC CITY — Thousands of bicycle riders will invade the city Sunday, but all for a good cause. Press of Atlantic City
Millville airport gets $3.7 million in federal aid–The Delaware River and Bay Authority received more than $3 million in federal funds for the Millville municipal airport, according to a statement issued Thursday by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo. Press of Atlantic City