Community members and district employees discuss the $119.2 million spending plan.
By: Melissa Hayes
About 15 people, including some school district employees, attended a hearing Tuesday on South Brunswick’s $119.2 million school spending plan for the 2005-2006 .
The three community members who spoke said it is important to support the budget and to get out and vote on April 19.
"I’ve seen a lot of school budgets and I’ve probably supported 99.9 percent of them because we needed it. We need good education for our children," said Beekman Road resident Al Kady. "Nobody wants a tax increase, but the increase of the budget is just nearly a dollar a day."
The board approved the spending plan, which is 7.6 percent larger than last year’s $111 million budget approved by voters last year, March 7.
The budget calls for a 9 percent increase in the school tax rate. If approved by voters, the budget would increase the school tax rate 19 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, from $2.13 to $2.32.
In April, voters will determine the fate of 17.6 cents of the increase in two ballot questions; 1.4 cents of the increase comes from already approved debt. The first question will ask voters to approve a $81.2 million tax levy for general expenses, which will increase the tax rate by 16.8 cents. The second question will ask voters to approve $657,597 in taxes to pay for courtesy and late buses, which would increase the tax rate by 0.8 cents.
If voters approve both questions, the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $188,600 would pay $4,375.52, up $358.34 from the current school year.
The second question is necessary because all of the districts non-mandatory transportation costs, which cost roughly $1.1 million, did not fit under a state imposed budget cap.
"A budget is nothing more than a financial plan. It’s the route that we are going to steer the ship. And the route we want to go is to get our kids an excellent education," Superintendent Gary McCartney said Tuesday.
Dr. McCartney said the district is expecting 226 additional students by the start of next year, which would bring the total to 8,802. By 2008, the district expects to have 9,355 students, he said.
Dr. McCartney said that aside from a state mandated expansion to the district’s talented and gifted program, there were no major additions to the budget.
Dr. McCartney said several factors which the district had no control over led to the tax increase an increase in enrollment and flat state aid, a decrease in the amount of taxable property in the township and increases in health insurance, pension fund payments and utilities.
Mr. Kady said supporting the school budget and providing students with an excellent education are part of what attracts new residents to South Brunswick.
He said a lot of new families have moved into his area of town and many of them said they chose South Brunswick for its schools. He said this also increases property value in the township.
"You’re not only voting for the children, you’re voting to increase (property values). People want to come here for the education," he said. "Please join me for voting yes for the budget and part two."
Former school board member John Wolf, an Oakey Drive resident, also said he supported the budget.
"I don’t look at cost. I look at results, because that’s what counts," Mr. Wolf said, referencing the recently published state School Report Cards, which showed improved test scores in the district.
"I see excellence as fragile," he said. "You have to take care of it. You have to nurture it. You have to protect it."
Parent Joan Puchalski, a Monmouth Junction resident, simply encouraged voters, particularly other parents, to get out and vote.
"Please take time out of your schedule to vote," she said. "Those who oppose the budget will be out to vote. Mark your calendars."
School board members said they would make themselves available to members of the public who have questions about the spending plan.
Board members will be at the school PTO and PTA meetings before the school elections to present the budget again and answer any questions voters have.
"Reach out to board members," said board member, South Brunswick Police Lt. Harry Delgado. "I encourage you to be an informed voter."
Polling places will be the same as the general election and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 19.
Tuesday’s meeting will be rebroadcast Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. on the Viking Television Network through the election.
Information is also available on the district’s Web site, www.sbschools.org.