BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK – One resident who says he was “unpleasantly surprised” by the increase in his summer property tax bill took his concerns to township officials and the local airwaves recently.
Bernard Prohaska approached the Township Council at a recent meeting and posed a number of questions to those viewing the meeting at home on EB-TV.
Prohaska pointed out to viewers that the 2007-08 school budget, which raised the school tax rate by 37 cents, was approved in April by only a handful of votes – the tally was 2,587 to 2,549. He asked viewers if they ever expressed displeasure about the budget increases during a Board of Education meeting, and if they ever expressed outrage to state legislators about the way school taxes are funded in New Jersey.
Prohaska said that until the property tax system is changed, “we will continue to get our pockets picked year in and year out.”
He also asked why the school district was not using the township’s health insurance program as a way to save money on benefits for school employees. The issue was discussed at a council meeting in February, since the township uses a “self-insurance” program for its employees that officials said is much more affordable. Councilman David Stahl said the township’s insurance could be used to cover school employees’ health benefits and life insurance.
Prohaska said he once asked the council to pass a resolution asking the school board to join in the municipality’s health insurance plan.
Council President Nancy Pinkin said the council did ask the board and that the board did not approve of it.
Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro said in February that the state had not yet passed a bill allowing the school district to participate in the self-insurance plan, so officials were not familiar with it.
She noted that the district is involved in many cooperative efforts with the township and is willing to consider ways to save taxpayers money.
Council Vice President Donald Klemp said the school district would have to put out an “enormous amount” of money, perhaps a few million dollars, up front to join the township’s health benefits system. In addition, the district has to work with the teachers’ union on the issue. Teachers’ contracts are only negotiated once every three years.
“You can’t simply say ‘We’re going to change your health care,’ ” he said, noting it would take time to get the union to agree.
Klemp added, however, that the board is looking at ways to keep insurance costs down.
Prohaska said he assumes the board cannot cut back in other budgetary areas in order to afford the up-front cost.
After the meeting, Stahl said he still wants to see a comparison of the two health insurance programs. No studies have been done, he said, and Stahl said he still feels the cost savings to the school district would be “tremendous.”