Jamesburg Board of Education unveils 2005-2006 budget,including after school and sports programs.
By: Elaine Worden
JAMESBURG The Jamesburg Board of Education introduced a preliminary $10.92 million budget March 3 that includes money for after-school activities, sports and a full-time librarian.
Residents will vote on the plan at school elections April 19. A public hearing on the budget will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 24 at the John F. Kennedy School.
If approved by voters, the school rate tax would be $2.76 per $100 of assessed valuation, an increase of 10.65 cents. Under that rate, the owner of a house assessed at the borough average of $123,319 would pay $3,403 in school taxes during the 2005-2006 school year, up $136 from the current year.
Driving the budget, which is $423,388 larger than the current year’s plan, are costs associated with paying for after-school programs, a full-time librarian, and landscaping and sewer services.
The return of after-school activities will carry a $5,000 price tag, including $2,150 to pay for things such as referees and equipment for soccer and basketball games.
Other after-school activities include six-week "minileagues" that include sports such as hockey and kickball.
The Jamesburg PTA had been financing the after-school activities and sports since October 2002, when the board had to make cuts due to unexpected expenses.
But the PTA, which also supports district field trips, school dances and assemblies, could not pay for the programs this year. Funding for this year’s session is a result of a fund-raising campaign led by Mayor Tony LaMantia.
"I’m hoping that the community will come out behind this," said school board President Don Peterson. "The impression that the board had was that the community wanted these things, they had asked for them, and I hope that they realize that it’s something that we need and come out and support it."
The district also has budgeted $126,980, including benefits, for a full-time librarian. Money for a full-time librarian also was cut in 2002. Since then, the library has been manned by volunteers.
Mr. Peterson said it is the consensus of the board that a librarian is essential for a thorough and efficient education.
In addition, the district will pay $26,701 for a full-time test-prep teacher to improve standardized test scores. According to Mr. Peterson, half of that salary will come from $19,000 already budgeted for a half-time position.
The district will start testing first-graders with the Terra Nova test. The cost for testing and scoring materials is $2,000. Currently, Jamesburg students begin standardized testing in second grade, but teachers do not see the results until the end of the year, which may result in students not receiving the proper attention in areas they may need until third grade, said Mr. Peterson.
Another increase includes $6,500 to pay for an additional special education student.
The district also will now be providing its own sewer service, at $4,000, and will pay $14,695 for lawn maintenance.
Lawn maintenance and sewer service has been provided by the borough since it was cut from a defeated school budget in 2002
The district will receive $3,658,172 in state aid for the 2005-2006 school year, the same amount received for the current year.
Mr. Peterson said he believes the budget will provide a thorough and efficient education for the children of Jamesburg.
He said the board would like residents to come out and be part of the voting process.
"Too many people sit back and don’t vote, thinking that someone else is going to come out and vote, and we wind up getting defeated because of that. So if you care about the budget, come out and vote for it," Mr. Peterson said.