No Tax Increase Proposed In Bernards School Budget Following Heated Board Meeting

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A clear division is emerging in the Bernards Township Board of Education leading to arguments and disputes at each meeting between the newly elected members and long-term members.

At the Monday night special meeting, a revised proposed preliminary school budget for 2023-24 of $114,886,211 was presented. The new budget was reduced by $300,000 and included funding for the $500,000 in new police services (SLEO III and SRO) in the district's elementary schools.

It also included funds to cover all 11 of the assistant principals in the district. This led to a 0 percent tax increase for residents.

"The finance committee and administration agreed to cut budgeted expenditures without sacrificing any programs or services. In fact, the final preliminary budget was able to absorb the existing security costs for the district, add security at all of our elementary schools and increase positions in the special ed program," said Board member Kirsten Light.

"Based on the strength of our district’s financial position, the results of the review, and acknowledging the current inflationary environment and recent banking uncertainty, the finance committee instructed the administration to create a budget reflecting a zero percent increase to the property tax level for the next fiscal year," said Light.

The preliminary budget was unanimously passed but not before some members voiced their concerns.

"I think doing the one-time zero percent tax increase is OK. I just think going forward it's not sustainable to not look at the cost drivers of our budget," said Board member Timothy Salmon.

"It's like taking your savings to pay your bills and at some point, you use up all of your savings. And I don't think in my heart of heart that it is the most fiscally conservative or the most fiscally responsible," said Board member Jennifer White.

The larger disagreement occurred when Board Vice President Nimish Amin proposed a motion right after the budget was passed to instruct Superintendent Nick Markarian to come up with a plan by May to cut administration expenses and not fill the open assistant principal position until a plan presented in May.

The Assistant Principal position became open in November 2022 when Adam Torrisi resigned from the position at William Annin Middle School.

Some board members felt the second motion went against the Board's decision to pass a preliminary budget that already included funding the 11 assistant principals.

Amin made the motion and board member Lawrence Rascio seconded it.

"How can you second a motion that goes against what we just voted for? This makes no sense!" said White.

"Because the budget had money allocated for 11 assistant principles whether or not we fill it is a different story. That money could be used for something else," said Rascio.

"How is it fair to the board members that are here, who have now voted on something based on certain information?" said Board member Ruchika Hira.

"If we are going to vote on a budget and then turn around and two seconds later and undo something that is in the budget - it is dishonest. It is disingenuous. It is wrong," continued White.

Board President Keith Molinari disagreed with the assertion that the motion was "disingenuous."

"It's the preliminary budget we have to pass it tonight by statute," Molinari. "Now that does not mean that different amendments or different changes can not happen in that budget between the preliminary submission we submit to the county superintendent and the final budget we vote on in May. There is nothing disingenuous about that."

Markarian said that his preference would be to start looking at backfilling the assistant principal position now and to look at cutting administration costs in the next budget cycle.

"I don't see the harm in looking at reducing admin costs now," said Light.

The vote on the second motion passed but was split with Salmon, White, McKeon, and Hira voting no. Light, Molinari, Amin, Csilla Csipak, and Rascio all voting yes.

"I think what is happening here is honestly, from somebody who lives in this district whose kids go here, is so disappointing. It's so disheartening," said Hira before the meeting ended.

Watch the full meeting below:

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