By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO “Take it up with Governor Christie” was the sentiment at the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, after approving the final budget, which despite the board’s best efforts, raises the burden to taxpayers by 2.49 percent.
The board unanimously approved the $158.6 million budget, which represents a 1.7 percent increase from last year and .2 percent decrease from the board’s first proposal in early March.
The budget includes $147.1 million to be raised through taxation, though the ballot will only ask voters to approve about $140 million. The $7 million difference represents debt service, which is set by the state. Acknowledging the tax levy is above the two-percent cap, board members reminded the public that they also can’t control how the drop in property values, a meager state aid award and obligation to the charter school have worsened the tax impact.
As a statement against the state Department of Education, the board cut $250,000 from the charter school allocation. The district initially allocated $1.2 million but reduced it to $950,000 to “highlight the unfairness of it,” Larry Shanok, assistant superintendent of finance, said.
”Voters don’t get a say in how much is allotted,” he said. “Our children are already receiving half-day kindergarten. It doesn’t seem fair that the taxpayers should pay for a few children to have full-day kindergarten (at the charter school). It’s a serious question in a high-performing district like ours. None of the Board of Ed members believe it’s a good use of money.”
However, if the charter school reaches 105 students based on the state’s formula for enrollment the district would most likely have to pay the full $1.2 million, he said.
Board President Hemant Marathe added that if the charter school didn’t exist, the budget would’ve only risen by 1.1 percent this year.
”New Jersey is the only state besides New Hampshire that raises more in property tax than income and sales tax,” he added.
Mr. Marathe said the board consistently tries to “reduce its footprint” on taxpaying families, recognizing that school tax has accounted for 60 to 70 percent of their total tax bill, according to data of the past decade.
”We understand everyone is struggling, but we tried everything we could to contain the cost,” he said.
Also to the board’s disappointment, it missed the county’s deadline to include the solar project referendum on the ballot while awaiting state approval for months. The referendum would’ve asked voters to approve $6.4 million in federal bonds to finance solar panels, an award that came with an expiration date of fall 2012. Pending state approval, the Finance Committee must now decide how to proceed with the project if it wishes to include the referendum for next April’s budget vote, finance the project on its own by forgoing the award, or hold a special election at a cost to taxpayers.
Board member Todd Hochman, who previously voted against the budget, withdrew his opposition and said he was pleased with the reductions.
”A compromise means not always getting what you want,” he said. “There’s a significant rise in the West Windsor and Plainsboro tax rate, which is an unfortunate result of re-evaluation decreases, but the district can’t control this.”
Plainsboro’s assessed values dropped by .6 percent. At a tax rate of 1.624, the average assessed home of $389,000 would pay $6,317, which is about $200 more than last year.
Assessed values in West Windsor dropped by 2 percent. At a tax rate of 1.429, the average assessed home of $527,376 would pay $7,536, which is about $350 more than last year.
Tuesday’s meeting also served as a public hearing on the budget, but only one member of the public commented. Resident Quentin Walsh was disappointed by the increase in tax levy. “I don’t think these increases satisfy the fiscal reality,” he said.
As evidence of efficient spending year after year, board members drew attention to the district’s per-pupil cost of $12,000, which is well below state average and the district’s neighbors, but still yields high-performing students with above-average test scores and numerous other accomplishments.
”Everyone wants to pay less and get more,” said board member Richard Kaye. “We try to keep cost reasonable and maintain a high return.”
The school board election and budget vote will be April 27. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

