Homeowners could see 6.5$ drop in school taxes
Matthew Armstrong
CRANBURY — The public will get an opportunity to offer its opinions Tuesday on a school budget that would decrease school taxes by $325 for the average homeowner, thanks to the growth of tax ratables.
The school board is proposing a 13-cent tax cut for the 2000-2001 school year. The Board of Education approved a tentative version of the budget Tuesday, announcing the 6.5 percent drop in the tax rate that would accompany nearly $8.8 million in spending, up $300,000 from last year. The budget will be formally presented to residents at a public hearing 7:30 p.m., March 28 at the Cranbury School.
“We believe it’s a good budget,” said Robert Bartoletti, the chief school administrator. “It allows us to maintain and improve our schools, manage a significant increase in tuition for the high school and still reduce taxes.”
The decreased tax rate of $1.86 per $100 of assessed valuation means the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $250,000 would pay $4,650 in school taxes.
Last year, residents paid $1.99 per $100, or $4,975 in school taxes on a house assessed at $250,000.
The tax rate is set to decrease despite an overall spending increase, thanks to a larger tax base, especially commercial ratables, according to Dr. Bartoletti. The budget — including a second question on capital expenses — will go before the voters April 18.
The announced tax cut assumes both the budget and the $299,547 second ballot question will be approved. The second question was made necessary because of a state-imposed 3 percent limit on spending hikes. The proposed base budget is $8.5 million. If the second question is defeated, the board anticipates the tax rate would drop an additional 5 cents.
“We strongly believe that 5 cents is well-spent,” Finance Committee Chairwoman Joan Rue said.
The second question would cover the joint effort with the township to improve the traffic circulation at the school and relocate the tennis courts to make room for additional parking.
It also would include money for replacement of classroom lighting and ceiling tiles in the section of the school that houses classrooms for kindergarten through fifth grade. The completion of that project would signal compliance with the district’s five-year maintenance plan, according to the board.
The increase in the base budget is attributed primarily to the rising costs of sending township teen-agers to Princeton High School. Currently, 148 students attend PHS, but the district anticipates 23 additional Cranbury students in the fall.
Tuition for PHS will drop from $9,329 during the current school year to $9,071 for the 2000-2001 school year. But because of the increase in students, tuition is expected to rise $170,449
The board also plans for a new bus route to PHS to help accommodate the enrollment growth. The budget would include money to hire a teacher for elementary grades, as well as for additional hours for specialty teachers in the upper grades. The rest of the increased spending would go toward technology expenses and fall extracurricular activities.