Presentation made before Township Committee.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY With the April 19 school board election approaching, the Township Committee heard a presentation Tuesday from Superintendent Stuart Schnur on the Board of Education’s $67.9 million 2005-2006 budget.
In March, the board approved the budget, which, if adopted by voters, would carry an increase of $1,000 in the tax bill of the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $513,800.
"We all understand this is a big, big hit," Dr. Schnur said. "I’m not pretending it is not a gigantic increase."
At a rate of about $1.61 per $100 of assessed value, the owner of an average home would pay $8,253 in school taxes next year, compared to $7,254 currently.
Dr. Schnur fielded questions from the committee, including an inquiry from Mayor Louise Wilson on why school spending is outpacing enrollment growth.
This fall, the district will open the second new school in seven years, explained Dr. Schnur. The new schools bring additional staffing and equipment costs.
In September 1992, the district had 1,590 students. Administrators have estimated enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year to be nearly 5,200. About 6,000 students are expected to attend the school system in 2008.
The district’s new $57 million high school, which will feature an aquatic center and performing-arts center, will debut in the fall. School administrators plan to collaborate with the township to offer community programs in the building.
"I really want to make sure (the Township Committee and Board of Education) can work together to maximize the facility," said Deputy Mayor Karen Wintress.
Some community members are planning an event to make their voices heard on one school issue.
A "rally for our children" will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Montgomery High School parking lot, said resident Kim Galatro. The rally, explained Ms. Galatro, is being held to protest the district’s revised transportation plan.
"We feel we have not been heard," said Ms. Galatro, adding the event will be "totally peaceful."
The plan, which will shift starting and ending times at district schools, has been criticized by residents who say it does not take into account the needs of a family with two working parents.
The high school is slated to begin at 7:30 a.m., the upper middle school at 8:27 a.m., the lower middle school at 8:15 a.m., Orchard Hill Elementary at 8:15 a.m. and Village Elementary at 9 a.m.
In addition to concerns that starting the two elementary schools at different times would be difficult for families with young children in both schools, parents have expressed concern that children attending Orchard Hill would have trouble adjusting to starting school 45 minutes earlier than current starting times.
School officials have said the revised transportation plan was the result of months of research.

