West Deptford School Board OKs Tentative School Budget

unanimously passed a tentative $45.286 million budget Monday night, the same figure presented just days ago, with the caveat the final version could look markedly different.

“There’s no rubber-stamping here,” school board President Christopher Strano said of the budget, which school board members have already asked be cut .

But, as Strano pointed out, the board has to pass an initial version to give to the county superintendent by March 5.

“We have to submit something,” he said.

The county superintendent has the power to modify the district’s budget, though West Deptford superintendent Kevin Kitchenman said that’s a rare move. Meanwhile, the school board and administrators have pledged to start working to make cuts and reduce the proposed 8.119¢ property tax rate increase.

“The discussions have started,” Strano said.

More work should come at the board’s finance committee meeting before the March 12 public meeting, and the entire budget will need to be finalized before the March 26 public hearing on the budget, which will take place as part of the regular school board meeting that Monday night.