WEB UPDATESchool district granted $2M cap allowance

Board adopts budget that would save 22 jobs, subvarsity sports.

By: Dick Brinster
   HIGHTSTOWN — The East Windsor Regional School District has been granted a $2 million tax revenue cap allowance from the state, and the school board adopted a $77.4 million budget Thursday night that would save 22 of about 50 jeopardized jobs along with high school subvarsity sports and middle school intramural sports.
   The district had been $4 million short of what it wanted to spend and in danger of losing as many as 50.5 positions because of a pending state law to change from a district spending cap of 4 percent to a tax levy cap of 4 percent.
   Superintendent Ron Bolandi said at a special meeting Thursday night that jobs were saved because the Department of Education earlier that day allowed the district credits that included $1.2 million for finishing an elementary school a year early and using $500,000 from surplus, both during the last school year.
   Meanwhile, the school board decided — also by an 8-0 vote — to put three questions on the ballot for voter approval April 17.
   One of the questions could restore 13 of the remaining 28 lost staff positions. Mr. Bolandi said 13 teaching positions were permitted to go on the ballot because they would involve programs already in the budget for expansion and changes to existing courses and to launch computer instruction in the elementary schools.
   Voters would be asked to approve $910,000 — reduced from $1.1 million because of the six lost positions — and $680,000 for restoration of non-mandated busing. They also will be asked to approve an all-day kindergarten program for $1.5 million.
   The cap change means the tax rate in East Windsor will be down 5 cents to $3.19 per $100 of assessed valuation and the rate in Hightstown will be up 1 cent to $3.30. However, approval of all three proposed ballot questions would add 19 cents to the rate in East Windsor and 20 cents in Hightstown.