5 Things: Wednesday's Special School Budget Meeting

Hello, Wednesday. Instead of bringing us just a council meeting, you've brought us a special meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. at borough hall and will end with a decision on whether to make cuts to the school district's proposed budget.

Here's what you need to know about the meeting.

1. You Need to Know About the Decision: The council can accept the budget as it is, or reduce it. The Board of Education must accept the dollar amount the council decides to cut. But it doesn't have to make the cuts the way the council recommends.
2. You Need to Know About the Process: Hopatcong's council met in closed session on May 9 to discuss the budget. Then the council's finance committee met with the BOE's finance committee.
3. You Need to Know About the Budget: The school district's . At $35 million, it was $1 million more than last year's. It would have raised taxes on the average Hopatcong home $109 at a tax rate of $1.09.
4. You Need to Know About Your Voice: There will be a public comment section of the meeting before the discussion begins. Use your five minutes to let the council and BOE know how you feel about the issue.
5. You Need to Know About 7:30 p.m.: The regular mayor and council meeting will take place after the special meeting.