District Unveils Preliminary Budget Information

Though new state aid figures have yet to be released, Board of Education presented preliminary 2012-2013 budget information on Monday, projecting possibilities based on still-unknown factors.

Unknown Factors—

"We don't yet know our state aid numbers. (Gov. Chris Christie) speaks on Feb. 24, and we'll probably get our numbers a day or two after that," said Collingswood Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Oswald during Monday's presentation. "We don't know if the extra one percent state aid we received last year (totaling just under $300,000) will remain part of this year's base aid."

Another unknown: new legislation, signed last week by Christie, may change the school budget voting system.

"If the board approves this new legislation, it could move school board elections from April to November," said Oswald, before listing further changes an approval could bring. "And if we stay under the two percent (tax increase) cap, there will no longer be an opportunity for voters to vote directly for (our 2012-2013) budget during board elections. If we go over the cap, voters will be able to vote on our budget during elections."

The board addressed another unknown factor Monday—expiration of the district's Collingswood Education Association (CEA) contract on June 30, 2012.

"The CEA settlement will expire this June. About 90 percent of our district (employees have these) contracts. We certainly hope we can settle at something reasonable very quickly," said Oswald.

Certain Factors—

Besides the pool of wavering possibilities looming over Collingswood Public Schools, some items are already certainties.

"By law we're limited to a two percent tax increase, unless we ask voters to go above (the cap). A two percent tax increase would generate $278,600," said Oswald. "Because we did not go over the two percent last year, we now have a banked cap of $207,983 for use this year."

And special needs programs have enabled the district to educate more students at home, in Collingswood schools; and provide seats to neighboring, tuition-paying students at "significantly reduced costs to the sending districts."

Oswald also said the board of education has remained committed to making capital improvements and increasing technology districtwide, as part of its base budget.

Possible Outcomes—

According to Oswald, Collingswood would be productive and operable if state aid stays flat this year.

"If our state aid remains flat, every current district position will be funded this year," he said, adding that flat aid would allow for capital improvements, technology, generous funding for elementary school literacy initiatives, and the addition of two part-time teaching positions.

With regard to flat aid, Collingswood Board of Education President James Hatzell said flat aid would be conducive to Christie's new legislation.

"Our overall budget can only increase by one percent if state aid remains flat this year," said Hatzell. "So the public is safeguarded, which (highlights) the pluses for moving (elections to November)."

But a state aid reduction, said Oswald, would hinder district sustainability.

"If we see a reduction in state aid, all bets are off," said Oswald Monday night. "Both programs and positions will be negatively impacted. While we are not expecting (a reduction) will happen—not counting on that to happen—we don't know for sure."

Other than one member, who abstained, the board of education voted in favor of new legislation Monday night, which would move school board elections from April to November.