Official Results: Budget, Yes 198 – No 203. Unofficial Results: School Board, Mark Iannucci (262), Jennifer Perno (263) and Edward Bohn (277).
School districts in New Jersey are facing their biggest crisis in decades and Merchantville is no exception. Our state aid for the current year was reduced by $460,500 (25%) and our aid for next year by an additional $304,047 (16%). In developing our budget for next year the Board sought input from teachers, parents and the community. Unfortunately, as in just about every other district, we have had to make painful, once unimaginable cuts to our staff and programs and increase taxes.
2010-11 BUGDET
Total School Budget for 2010 – 2011 Decreased by 12%
Proposed Tax Increase = 4% or $39/yr for average household ($32.50 per $100,000 of assessed value)
Program & Staff Reductions Included in Proposed 2010 -2011 School Year Budget
1. Staff Reduced by 18% – 12 full and part-time positions (= 8.1 FTEs [full-time positions])
2. Pre-K 4 year old program eliminated 0.5 FTE
3. Kindergarten reduced from full to half-day program 1.0 FTE
4. Guidance counselor position eliminated 1.0 FTE
5. Non-instructional aides reduced by 40% 3.4 FTE
6. Physical education program reduced by 50% 0.9 FTE
7. Music instruction program reduced by 50% 0.5 FTE
8. Computer instruction reduced by 60% 0.6 FTE
9. Secretarial / administrative support services reduced 0.2 FTE
10. Reduced allowable surplus from $250,000 to $175,000
11. Reduced maintenance/custodial purchased services
12. Reduced occupational therapy, physical therapy & speech services
13. No new computer equipment purchases (none purchased in 2009-2010 either)
14. No textbook purchases
15. Minimal supply budget
16. Salary freeze for the Chief School Administrator
17. Reduced co-curriculars & clubs – looking for volunteers
UPDATE: Camden County districts were notified FIVE days before the Election that they may have to maintain a full-day kindergarten if more than 20% of their students qualified for the Federal free/reduced lunch program (Merchantville is at 32%). If we have to comply with this unfunded mandate the district will have to decrease other educational programs to restore one full-time teaching position ($50,000) plus two part-time aides ($25,000). The School Board and administration are reassessing all budget items and programs in anticipation that we may have to fulfill this mandate.
What happens if the budget is defeated? Merchantville Borough Council reviews the defeated budget. Council can vote to keep the tax levy as requested by the Board of Education (BOE) or to reduce the tax levy requested. If they vote to reduce the tax levy, Council must list the budget lines they believe can be cut. The BOE must reduce the budget by the amount voted by Council but the BOE makes the final determination on what areas to cut.
What happens if the budget passes? The Borough is authorized to collect taxes in the amount approved by the voters. Districts may, with certain limitations and county approval, reallocate funds among line items due to changing circumstances within the district.
