Tax Hike For 3 Towns in Regional Budget

The West Morris Regional School Board approved its proposed 2012-13 budget Monday night, which will raise the tax levy 1.67-percent, but was not supported by all members of the body.

Of the five towns in the regional district–Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Washington Township–two municipalities will see decreases in their annual taxes, while the other three will see a hike for the coming school year.

In Washington Township, a home worth $500,000 will see a $19 annual decrease; and Mendham Borough will see a $29.50 drop for 2012-13.

For that same home value, Chester Borough will see a $141 hike, Chester Township a $36 increase, and Mendham Township will have a $80.50 bump.

2012

($19)

Annual Impact

As for the levy increase, approximately $335,000 has been added to the salary portion of the budget, as the district will add a Chinese language course and instructor, as well as sixth period assignments for teachers.

The sixth period assignments, said Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast, will help to alleviate class size in both schools. Pendergrast said both school principals requested the addition in the budget.

As of now, teachers in the district instruct five class periods each day, and use the sixth for department duty. By teaching a sixth class, instructors are paid more, and class sizes are spread among into more periods.

The total budget, including general appropriations, restricted appropriations, capital reserve, and debt service amounts to $49,820,727, an increase of $2,638,993, or 4.6-percent.

Board Finance Committee chairperson Jacke Schram presented the figures to the board, and pointed out that there was no increase last year.

“While we look at this and see a 1.67-percent increase, let’s remember we remained flat last year,” Schram said. “So, really, it’s an increase over two years.”

“We’re not looking at it like we’re shooting for 2-percent or 0-percent,” Pendergrast said. “But it’s more about ‘How do we create the most robust program for these teens, while being responsible?’”

Schram attributed rises and drops in individual municipalities to changes in home values and enrollment from each municipality.

‘Inadequate budget’

Despite staying under the state mandated tax levy cap, board member and Chester representative Marcia Asdal said the process was fundamentally flawed.

“Is this budget the best we can do?” Asdal asked. “Is this the best we can do for the students, parents, taxpayers and community members? I don’t think so.”

Board member and Mendham Township representative Jamie Button agreed with Asdal, and took umbrage with the fact that spending per pupil in each school was skewed toward West Morris Central.

“I agree with (Marcia) about the inadequacy of this budget,” Button said.

Pendergrast noted that Central has a higher population of special education students, which, in turn, brings a higher per pupil cost.

For the first time in recorded history of the district, Mendham High School will have a higher enrollment than Central, with 1,404 students to 1,384 students, respectively.

Schram said projections for the district show enrollment, as a whole, will remain above 2,700 for the next five years.

The board voted 7-2 in favor of the budget, with Asdal and Button opposing. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at Mendham High School.