BY MELISSA CIFFELI
Staff Writer
A reverse in ratables, budget law S-1701, student growth and limited state funding will add up to a school tax increase for South Brunswick.
The Board of Education discussed the tentative 2005-06 school budget at Monday night’s board meeting. The total proposed budget stands at $119,201,038 — an increase of 7.6 percent over last year — with a local tax levy of $89,588,751.
The tentative budget, which officials said stands at the cap imposed by S-1701, would increase the tax rate by 17.6 cents. Under the plan, the owner of a home assessed at $200,000 would pay $352 more in taxes.
The proposed budget will be presented as two questions to voters: The approval of the base budget, which would carry a tax increase of 16.8 cents; and a second question carrying a .8-cent increase for nonmandatory transportation.
This transportation includes early-morning music runs, after-school late runs and nonremote transportation.
According to Assistant Superintendent for Business and Board Secretary Jeffrey Scott, the decline in tax ratables and S-1701’s spending-cap limitation have had a significant impact on the budget. If the township’s ratable base had stayed the same, the tax increase would have run 13.6 cents, according to Scott.
And if the state had provided $1.5 million in aid to the district, the tax rate would have been reduced by another 2 cents, with only a 11.6 cent tax increase.
Student enrollment is also expected to increase by 226 students, which officials said would require an additional staff of 34.
The budget increase, according to Scott, is the result of maintaining existing programs, supplying health benefits, utility costs and additions to Greenbrook and Brunswick Acres elementary schools.
No existing programs have been cut as a result of this year’s budget. One program, the gifted and talented program, which is state mandated, has been added.
To remain under the cap and help save costs, the board will lease textbooks over a four-year period. Leases would put the budget $283,237 below the state cap.
The board originally considered the possibility of cuts to the elementary world language program. Those reductions would have saved $616,896 and put the budget at $393,237 under cap.
The board decided, however, to review the district’s benefits program for one year before making a decision.
Schools Superintendent Gary McCartney said the board was willing to resort to extraordinary means and creative solutions to help property taxes.
McCartney said the board has looked to keep the tax rate as low as possible because it will be the basis for next year’s budget.
“Absolutely nothing this year has helped us to improve our budget,” board member Matthew Speesler said.
Those programs, such as transportation, are valued programs, Speesler said.
Board members asked the public for support of the budget, which they called a difficult process. The township, according to Scott, has been very supportive of school system for the past 12 years.
According to Scott, second questions have been added onto the budget in 1996 and 1997, both of which passed. The budget, Scott said, has only been defeated twice in the past 12 years.
Last year, South Brunswick voters passed a 15-cent tax rate increase budget by a tally of 1,480 to 1,045.
“Our school system has become our community center,” board Vice President Bryan Laurita said.
According to Laurita, South Brunswick’s quality school system has helped attract ratables and increase values of homes.
Now, more than ever, the community has to look at the facts and figures the board has presented, Laurita said.
“Please support his budget when you go to the polls,” Laurita said.
The board will hold a public hearing and vote on the 2005-06 budget on March 22 at 8 p.m. at Crossroads North Middle School.
The public will vote on the budget on the annual school board election day scheduled for April 19.