Schools
Mountainside BOE Holds Third Public Budget Hearing
Board Announces Teachers of the Year, Garden Fund Raiser and Addresses Youth Baseball Controversy
At the third and final public budget hearing held on March 22nd, the Mountainside Board of Education presented a tentative 2011-2012 budget including a 3.28 percent increase. This version of the budget will face a public vote on Wednesday, April 27th.
During their presentation, Superintendent Dr. Jeannette Baubles and School Business Administrator/Board Secretary W. Daniel Saragnese explained the many changes to the district, compared to previous years. The tentative budget reflects a reduction of six staff positions resulting in larger class sizes, a self-contained fifth grade, pay-to-play co-curricular activities, subscription bussing, the refinancing of debt and the elimination of district-run day camps, which will now be run by the Westfield Area Y. The budget includes the 8.66 percent increase in the cost of healthcare, a cost which is exempt from the two percent tax cap. However, the budget does not include a salary increase for any district employees.
The proposed fee schedule for co-curricular activities includes a $40 fee per club, $85 per performing arts activity, $200 to participate in the yearbook club and $425 per sport. Subscription bussing will cost $540 per child, per year. Saragnese explained that a reduced fee may be offered to families with multiple children attending the same school.
“The state of our schools is currently excellent and will continue to be,” said Dr. Baubles, addressing the many cuts to the budget. “It’s very distressing to make these decisions,” saying she understands how quickly pay-to-play fees can add up for parents. Dr. Baubles also stated that the increase in class sizes is “not ideal” but said, “we have the capacity to support and sustain that level of excellence.”
The meeting also included the announcement the district’s teachers of the year. Awards were given to Mrs. Mac Millan of Beechwood School, Mrs. Di Staso of Deerfield School and Mrs. Mac Donald for support staff member of the year.
The board also heard an update from the Garden Committee regarding the garden to be planted at Beechwood School. Students will begin growing the plants for the garden in their classrooms this week. The garden will feature seating for 25 students, academically-themed sections, and a variety of fruits, vegetables, gourds and herbs. The committee has secured funding through a $1,200 grant from the Mountainside Education Foundation, $500 in materials from the 2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Grant and approximately $8,000 - $10, 000 in fencing and an irrigation system from Harol Landscaping.
Other funding will come from the Flower Power online fundraiser, which will begin Friday, March 25th and last through mid-April, with fifty percent of the cost of plants sold going towards the project.
Additionally, the Board examined policy 7510 and the “Group 1” status of the Mountainside Youth Baseball League and the Mustangs Travel Sports Club, after controversy regarding conditions for participation in the Mountainside Youth Baseball League was brought to the board at the March 8th meeting. “Group 1” status allows organizations to use the district’s sports fields without paying fees, as long as they are “open for participation” for all Mountainside residents. The “Group 1” status of Mountainside Youth Baseball was challenged after the league began to require participants commit solely to their league, with the exception of school teams. This condition of participation was unofficially deemed to be on par with conditions such as age restrictions and try-outs. This clarification led the board to unofficially award “Group 1” status to the objecting group, the Mustangs Travel Sports Club, whose participants are now excluded from the Mountainside Youth Baseball League, pending the submission of some paperwork from both groups.
As well, the fourth grade Junior Girl Scouts presented their Take Action project to the board. The project includes the collection of supplies for local pet shelters to improve the well-being of animals in need of a home. The scouts encouraged the board and audience to donate and to adopt from pet shelters.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 at Beechwood School, and the public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
