Proposed 2011-2012 School Budget Requires 1.35 Percent Tax Increase

At the March 3rd meeting, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education approved a tentative  2011-2012 school budget requiring a 1.35 percent tax increase.  The current version of the budget presents reductions in all operating budgets, reductions in staff, as well as the reinstatement of items considered a priority to Superintendent Judith Rattner in light of the $426,000 in state aid the district will receive.

Differing from earlier budget presentations, the current version of the budget reinstates items previously eliminated, at the recommendation of Superintendent Rattner. The budget now preserves a reading specialist position and a 6th grade teaching position, allowing for one reading specialist at each elementary school and maintaining three 6th grade teams, which allows for double sessions of language arts. The elementary guidance counselor and student assistance counselor positions were restored to full-time positions, instead of being cut to part-time as previously budgeted. A 4th grade instrumental music and strings teaching position was also restored.

Cuts in the athletic budget were also changed from previous proposals, with the largest changes affecting football, hockey and swimming teams. The reconditioning of uniforms during the season had been cut from the football program, resulting in $2,500 in savings. Ice time for the hockey program has been cut 42 percent, or two days of practice per week. Previous cuts to the swimming team’s pool time were restored to current levels. As previously reported, the budget does not fund any middle school sports programs and eliminates four high school assistant coaching positions in wrestling, fencing, winter and spring track.

The mandated two percent tax cap combined with contractual obligations has made this budget process particularly tenuous and has made budget cuts both critical and unavoidable. The contractually-obligated 4.1 percent salary increases equate $807,000 in spending, and the increase in the cost of health benefits resulting in an additional $1,080,000 expenditure.

To counter these expenses, the tentative budget includes the elimination of four administrative positions (one administrator and three secretaries), three elementary school teaching positions, three media specialists, 1.65 world language positions and one custodial position that is currently not filled.  Additionally, the number of elective, music and foreign language courses offered at Governor Livingston High School has been reduced, as well as the number of co-curricular activities.  Class sizes will increase from this year, district wide.

Budget discussions will continue at the public budget hearing scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on March 24th, in the Columbia Middle School multi-purpose room.