Board of Ed Introduces School Budget That Will Raise Taxes for Residents by $110

The Board of Education voted in favor for the introduction of the 2011-2012 school budget on March 3, which totals $192.4 million and would raise taxes by $110 for the average household in the township.

The board will hold a public meeting on the budget on March 24 and on March 29, a public hearing and final adoption of the budget will be held. Voters will be able to vote on the budget during school board elections on April 27.

Mixed emotions were felt among school officials when state aid numbers came in on Feb. 23. The district received $19,414,560 in state aid for the 2011-2012 budget year, a $1,757,518 increase from last year.

“My first thought was to be happy,” said Schools Superintendent John Crowe. “Then I realized that [adequately funded] districts like Old Bridge received a $1.3 million to $1.4 million increase and we get a $1.7 million increase, it doesn’t make sense.”

Crowe said the way the state has treated the district over the years has been “unacceptable.”

“Make no mistake, even with the increase in state aid this year, we lost a considerable amount of aid last year,” he said.

However, Crowe said he believed the increase in funding was a step in the right direction as they move forward.

“I hope this is just the beginning,” he said.

Drastic changes and numerous cuts in the district that were seen last year are seen no more. With the increase in state aid, Crowe said the administration’s recommendations include maintaining and upgrading curriculum initiatives.

Algebra 1 in the 8^th grade will keep in line with what other districts are doing across the state, which has a value of $219,574; a 7^th and 8^th grade math revision in the amount of $108,100; calculators for grades 7 and 8 valued at $80,132; chemistry upgrade valued at $154,157; and G&T Arts totaling $154,305.

Among the items in curriculum, Crowe said they will maintain the current eight literacy coaches in the amount of $437,660 and upgrade the third grade language arts curriculum in-house. The district, if the budget is approved, will also see the creation of four technology literacy coaches in the amount of $201,452 and the addition of six speech teachers in the amount of $435,955. 

Other items or personnel that will remain in the budget include a substance abuse counselor in the amount of $100,003; contracted substitute teachers in the amount of $1.3 million; the purchase of 16 interactive whiteboards for the 16 elementary schools; nurses and extracurricular sports in the high school

Crowe said he can say that all certified staff in the district will remain intact and he said the administration will work on minimal amount of cuts to noncertified personnel. 

School officials have also implemented $100,000 for the lease purchase of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services; $8,500 for policy writing services where district policies will be rewritten to become compliant with the New Jersey School Boards Association; and $150,000 for replacing fire alarm systems at various schools in the district.

Despite the increase in state aid, the administration also recommended cuts and privatization of services that would save the district $1,837,253.

Schools Business Administrator Dennis DeMarino said they are still dealing with a $5 million cut to the budget from last year.

The cuts include one attendance officer, which will save the district $66,093; two carpenters, with a savings of $171,338; 13 bus drivers, with a savings of $451,185; a driver trainer position with a savings of $11,283’ computer supplies with a savings of $54,563; legal services with a savings of $100,000; PERS Pension costs in the amount of $605,033, utilities in the amount of $409,645; and hospitalization in the amount of $585,475.

Crowe said after they finish the budget, the administration will continue the fight for its fair share of state aid as well as develop a five year plan as they move forward in the district.

Items that will be looked at for the five year plan include moving towards online textbooks.

“Some textbooks are so old and are not made to be used as textbooks anymore,” said Crowe.