WEST AMWELL: Public hearing on SHRHS budget April 2

School’s expenses would increase about 1 percent while tax levy is expected to increase by about 3 percent

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   WEST AMWELL — Taxpayers in all of South Hunterdon Regional High School’s three sending districts would see their property tax bills rise if voters April 21 approve the proposed $10.48 million budget.
   The school’s expenses would increase about 1 percent while the tax levy is expected to increase by about 3 percent and come in under the state-imposed 4 percent cap.
   The proposed tax levy, the amount to be raised through local taxes, would be $8,865,749. Also, the school continues to pay for debt service on a voter-approved $20.8 million construction and improvement project. Debt service will increase by $680,000 to $891,358. Last year, the district received almost $1 million in debt service credit to offset the expense, but only $400,000 this year.
   A public meeting on the budget will be held tonight (April 2) at 7 p.m. at the high school.
   The tax rate in Lambertville would be 65.84 cents per $100 of assessed value. For the owner of a house assessed at the average of $371,000, the tax bill would be $2,442.66. Last year, with a tax rate of 64.82 cents per $100 of assessed value, and an average assessment of $366,000, the average homeowner paid $2,372.41.
   The tax rate in West Amwell would be 58.23 cents per $100 of assessed value. For the owner of a house assessed at the average of $456,000, the tax bill would be $2,655.29. Last year, with a tax rate of 57.23 cents per $100 of assessed value, the owner of a residence assessed at the same average paid $2,609.69.
   In Stockton, the tax rate would be 44.63 cents per $100 of assessed value. The owner of a house assessed at the average of $322,000 would pay $1,437.09. Last year, with the same average assessment and a tax rate of 41.72 cents per $100 of assessed value, the average homeowner paid $1,343.38.
   About $17,000 of the budget increase will go toward establishing a “sub-varsity” soccer program, Superintendent Nancy Gartenberg said. Previously, the school established a middle school program, and the new program will be for older students who have expressed a strong interest in the sport.
   Also, the district is facing an increase of about $90,000 in special education costs, bringing the total to about $2.2 million. It is an area of the budget South Hunterdon has “little control over,” Ms. Gartenberg said.
   By law, school districts must meet the special needs of disabled students by either educating them in-house or paying tuition and transportation for an out-of-district placement where their needs can be met.
   Utilities are expected to increase about $41,000 for a total of $290,000, Business Administrator Kerry Sevilis said.
   With its recent expansion and upgrades, the school increased its area from 30,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet, which will affect heating and cooling costs. A complete air conditioning and heating cycle has not elapsed so there is no monthly average to rely on in making the calculations, according to Ms. Gartenberg.
   Cost-saving measures that will be enacted include a $50,000 cut in technology. The school had planned to make certain areas wireless, but has decided against the move for now, Ms. Gartenberg said.
   Administrators — Ms. Gartenberg, Principal James Bevere, Assistant Principal Michael Godown and Ms. Sevilis — have declined their raises for 2009-10. The salary freeze will save the district about $20,000.
   Bus drivers also have volunteered to freeze their salaries for an approximately $10,000 savings.
   Administrators also gave up their school cell phones, while cell phones for others, such as bus drivers and the school nurse, will be switched to a new carrier for a savings of about $14,000. One of two after-school bus runs will be eliminated for a $5,000 savings.
   South Hunterdon also is reducing its bill for supplies by about $16,500, Ms. Sevilis said.