Alerting system added to proposed school budget

The automated system is designed to notify parents of any emergency closings or delayed openings.

By: Donna Lukiw
   The Hillsborough Board of Education unanimously approved adding $18,000 to the proposed 2007-2008 school budget to buy an automated system to notify parents of any emergency closings or delayed openings.
   The instant alert system will automatically alert parents of any emergency closings or delayed opening by either phone, e-mail or voice mail.
   Finance Committee Chairman Steve Sloan said the added expenditure will be paid for by savings in the district’s health insurance costs resulting from staff vacancies.
   The school district is still looking into the process of buying the new system.
   "We are currently exploring options on the market," Assistant Superintendent of Business Tom Venanzi said. "Since funds are in the budget, the implementation of this would be contingent upon the budget passing so we will not make a commitment on any package until then."
   Mr. Venanzi said he is still researching how these systems work.
   "Conceptually, I understand the importance of emergency alert systems but we need to balance that with the cost and the management of these systems as well as if the parents will utilize this service to determine if it is a wise investment."
   Mr. Sloan said the instant alert system would be used in the event of an emergency situation such as a school closing as a result of weather related conditions or a water main break which would make conditions in the buildings unsanitary.
   He said it will also be used in the case of a security situation that may result in threats to the students and staff.
   "Unfortunately, the communications systems we have in place such as Channel 14, our Web site and phone chains are not foolproof and may be subject to human error," Mr. Sloan said. "The advent of this new technology may allow text messages to be sent to the cell phone of a parent to notify them of a school closing, if they so desire to receive such a message."
   The proposed school budget for the 2007-2008 school year totals $100,629,205, with $73,351,638 raised through local taxes, a $1,750,396 increase 2.45 percent — above last year.
   If approved by voters April 17, the proposed budget would increase the tax rate from $1.905 per $100 assessed value to $1.959. The owner of a property assessed at the township average of $350,000 would see a $189 increase in the school portion of their property tax bill, from $6,667.50 to $6,856.5, an increase of 2.83 percent.
   "The committee felt pleased with this budget," Mr. Sloan said. "Overall this is the lowest increase tax wise in many years."
   The budget proposal maintains all existing academic programs, athletics, co-curricular programs and staff.