Hillsborough $2.8M Referendum Breakdown: School Security, More Staff

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — This coming Tuesday residents will be asked to vote on two questions on the ballot looking to spend a total of an additional $2.8 million to create a security department and add staffing at the school district.

"The reasons why I chose to do this now, is I have been a Hillsborough residnet since 1999 and worked in the district previously for 13 years," Volpe told Patch. "I am seeing the need for staffing and the tax rate is going down. We have more ratables in town so this can be accomplished with some people seeing a minmal impact."

As of the adopted budget in April, the Hillsborough school tax rate has decreased from 1.461 per $100 of assessed value of a home in 2022-23 to 1.391 in 2023-24. Even if both separate questions pass, the overall tax rate will still go down to 1.428, according to Volpe's presentation at the Oct. 30 Board of Education meeting.

"The time is now to do this. This is not something we will do each and every year," said Volpe to Patch. "The main reason to do it now is our economic circumstances are right."

Proposal 1

The first proposal is seeking $934,636 in additional funds to be used exclusively to create a security department, including salaries and other compensation, benefits, uniforms, and supplies for a supervisor and nine security officers.

This would add 1 unarmed building monitor at every school and 1 person in charge of all school safety and security efforts.

"That is something I am very passionate about. We don't have people only to safety and security and that has been troubling for me," said Volpe.

Volpe added that he has talked with Township officials and police who have endorsed this effort.

Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Proposal 2

The second proposal is seeking an additional $1,901,880 in funds to be used exclusively to hire 20 additional staff for the purpose of reducing class sizes and adding program offerings, interventionists, and mental health supports, and will include salaries, benefits, and classroom supplies.

Of those 20 staff members, 17 will be classroom teachers and the remaining three will be a school psychologist, a school counselor, and a school behavioral analyst.

"These hires will span across every building so every building gets the benefit of these positions," said Volpe.

Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Volpe noted previously that the new teachers would most likely be hired in January 2024 and be implemented first in semester classes as to not to disrupt younger classes by switching classes mid-year. More classes will then be restructured and reduced in size for the following 2024-25 school year.

In an effort to be fully transparent, Volpe has a calculator on the district website for residents to see what this impact would be for them. Click here for the calculator.

"I want complete transparency. I don't want anyone to say, He withheld information.' I have tried to be as ultimately transparent as possible," said Volpe.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.