By Amber Cox, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN Faced with the new budgeting season and some district changes, the Bordentown Regional school board president has high hopes for the developing financial picture.
The recent decision to move the school board elections to the general election date in November is “consistent with the goals of the board to cut spending where possible,” said board President Tom Dalton.
As of Monday 295 of the 538 districts in the state eligible to make the switch have done so.
”It is important to note that the board will be presenting the 2012-2013 school budget shortly,” Mr. Dalton said. “While trying to be fiscally responsible and hold the line on spending, the board also has a responsibility to the taxpayers of Bordentown to provide the best education possible for the children.”
Mr. Dalton said the past years of cutting aides and discussing the cutting of busing and full-day kindergarten cannot continue.
”We need to find a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of the children of Bordentown without continuing to pass on the cost via tax increases to the township’s residents,” he said. “I have not, (and) will not vote yes to a budget that is fiscally irresponsible, and the taxpayers of Bordentown can be assured of that.”
Mr. Dalton has voted against the budget twice in the past.
”I’m confident in my vote,” he said. “I know I’m voting for the right reasons, I hope everyone else is, and I’m sure they are.”
Mr. Dalton said the district will be within the 2 percent cap for the budget or it will have to go to a referendum.
He added that he is happy the board extended Superintendent Constance Bauer’s contract for another two years. The board approved it on Oct. 19, for July 2011 until June 2014 with a salary of $148,179 for the 2011-12 school year with salary adjustments of 1.5 percent in each of the two successor years.
”She (Dr. Bauer) took no increase this budget year,” Mr. Dalton said. “We are 100 percent happy with her. It shows that she wants to make this work. She really stepped up and got on board with what’s going on in the economy.”
The board also approved Eloi Richardson to replace longtime Business Administrator Peggy Ianoale for a salary of $120,000.
”We’re going to miss Peggy, she served the board for 16 years and did a wonderful job,” Mr. Dalton said. “Eloi was with the county superintendent, he was the assistant county superintendent. It seems like he is going to be a really good replacement for Peggy. It’s always tough replace good employees.”
Mr. Dalton added that there will be a lot more informational items and presentations on the board’s agendas to keep the public informed.
”I think the Bordentown Regional School District is moving in the right direction,” he said. “We’ll see what happens in the future, I can’t wait. There’s a lot of passion here. Remember, township schools are the centerpiece of our community and we need to do everything we can to make them better.”
The board plans to discuss the budget at upcoming meetings.

