Hopatcong School Board OK's Proposed 2011-2012 Budget

The Hopatcong Board of Education approved a preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 school year at its regular meeting at the on Monday, Feb. 28.

The total budget of $35,238,833 is about $1.3 million more than last year's final version.

Board member Cliff Lundin said the budget uses the full state-allowed tax cap.

The budget was sent before Friday to the Sussex County superintendent for review. The board plans to unveil its final budget for voting on March 28.

District Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said there was good news—that the district would . The district took a state-aid cut of $1.7 million in 2010-2011.

"Now we have got to develop a budget that defines which cuts are made to bring the budget into balance," Maranzano said.

Maranzano also said that the district's expenses "far exceed" the 2-percent cap.

"If you look at health [insurance] costs, we'd love to see reasonable health cost increases," he said. "Maybe 3 to 5 to 7 percent. But we're facing, like many people are, a 20 to 25 percent rise in health-care costs."

"Fuel has gone through the ceiling," Maranzano continued. "What we've budgeted for last year, we have to double, at least, because no one knows where oil is going to be per barrel in the middle of the summer."

Maranzano said making cuts will be "a very difficult decision."

Lundin voiced displeasure with Sussex County Technical School for charging sending districts about $2,000 per student who attend the Route 94 school. He said the move could cost Hopatcong about $170,000—or about half of its 2-percent cap. The Sussex County Board of Freeholders cut $1 million of funding to Sussex Tech.

"So instead of [Sussex Tech] cutting, [Sussex Tech] says, "Oh, let's charge the schools.' We have a bill for $170,000 to pay for our kids going to [Sussex Tech] that you already pay in your county tax dollar …

"In reality, that means two more people that have to be cut from our budget to satisfy [Sussex Tech], to satisfy the freeholders, who can say, 'Oh, we didn't raise your taxes.' Well, you know what, that's wrong. Don't pass it down to us. Seems everywhere the buck is stopping here. I say the buck isn't stopping here. We're taking it out of our pockets and giving it to someone else. It's not right."

The total base budget includes $710,699 of special revenue funds and $166,560 of debt service funds.