Moorestown BOE Worked on Budget, Calendar in February

In February, the Moorestown Board of Education approved the 2016-2017 calendar, continued work on the 2016-2017 budget, and took part in the presentation of a revenue generation plan, among other items.

At the Feb. 16 meeting, there was an update on the 2016-2017 Budget, which can be accessed here. The budget presented did not reflect the state aid numbers or health care increases because they were not available at the time.

In terms of timeline, the board hopes to approve the budget for initial submission to the Executive County Superintendent for review on March 15, in time for the March 22 deadline.

The board would then hold a public hearing on the budget between April 25 and May 9 before taking a final vote. Once the budget is approved by the board the second time, it becomes final.

Updates on specifics of the budget will be conveyed once they become more firm, but initial projections show deficits over the next few years, and the option to use banked cap will almost certainly not be available in future years.

Realizing budget difficulties will not being going away, the board expressed that all sources of alternate revenue are being explored. Specific possibilities were presented by Interim Superintendent Carole Butler, including potentially accepting tuition students on a space available basis and advertising on school grounds, among many other options.

To facilitate these initiatives, a director of development and/or a director of special projects will likely be needed. The full presentation is available online here.

Also, at the February meeting, the 2016-2017 MTPS Calendar was approved by the board. The Calendar is listed as Exhibit 16-215 on the February meeting agenda.

As part of the Building Excellence Referendum Projects, the board awarded a couple contracts for the work at the high school, including roofing and HVAC renovations.

Also, a change order was approved for South Valley drainage work to account for additional excavation and paving in the amount of $14,640, but this does include some work that would have occurred in the near future regardless.

As a reminder, the board is trying out a different format for providing committee reports. Following this effort, committee reports will now be placed online and can be accessed here. Questions regarding committee work can be brought up at the monthly meeting as always, or to the chair of the committee.

The Moorestown High School is having its spring musical, “Hello, Dolly!,” on Thursday Feb. 25, Friday Feb. 26, Saturday Feb. 27, Friday March 4, and Saturday, March 5.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Moorestown High School Auditorium, and it promises to be another great performance!

The next regular monthly Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. in the William Allen Middle School Media Center, and it is likely there will be a budget update on March 8.

Please note that the board hopes to adopt the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan at the regular March meeting, if finalized. This consists of three overarching goals.

In the meantime, do not hesitate to reach out to the Board or myself if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

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The views and content in this column do not necessarily represent those of the Moorestown Board of Education as a whole or any other individual member.

About this column: In this column, Moorestown Board of Education Member Brandon Pugh provides monthly updates on what’s going on in the school district and on the BOE.