PRINCETON: PHS $76M budget goes to voters

By Charley Falkenberg, Packet Group
   PRINCETON — Without much public comment during a public hearing Tuesday night, the Princeton Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s tentative $75.6 million operating budget for 2012-13.
   The next step is for voters to act on the request for a $63.4 million tax levy to support the budget at the annual school election April 17.
   The proposed budget 2012-13 budget has a flat 1 percent increase from the current $73.8 million budget.
   ”We have never been in a more conservative situation, and I urge everyone to understand that it enables us to move forward,” Superintendent Judy Wilson said. “It doesn’t allow us to grow much, but it enables us to meet the needs possible in the 2 percent cap and 1 percent budget growth. In the end, it is a very conservative budget going forward.”
   With the state mandated 2 percent cap, the tax levy will increase by $1.2 million with a potential 2 cent tax rate increase for both the borough and township.
   The owners of houses assessed at the township average of $822,263 and borough average of $748,155 would pay $7,975 and $7,631 respectively in school district property taxes, based on the township tax rate of 97 cents and the borough tax rate of $1.02 per $100 assessed value.
   This is a $211 increase for the township and a $141 increase for the borough over the 2011 district property tax, based on a 94 cent township tax rate and a 99 cent borough tax rate.
   Ms. Wilson noted this would be the last time citizens would see a tax rate break between the two municipalities, due to the impending consolidation in January 2013.
   The budget continues to support Princeton Charter School costs, which will increase 1.6 percent to cover tuition. The tuition expense is budgeted in the tax levy question.
   The board was able to offset major revenue loss from the disappearance of the Education Jobs fund, declining per pupil costs and decreasing Cranbury student enrollment by altering capital projects and utilizing state aid.
   The district is getting roughly a $100,000 increase in state aid. It received $1.7 million in state aid in 2011-12 with an additional installment of $741,409 to restore some of the $3.7 million Gov. Chris Christie cut in 2010. The district received $3.3 million for this year. The aid allowed Business Administrator Stephanie Kennedy to close the $500,000 gap, but hindered the board’s plan to increase staffing positions for added electives.
   Election polls will be held at Suzanne Patterson Center, Princeton High School, John Witherspoon Middle School, Community Park School, Johnson Park School, Littlebrook School or Riverside School. To determine which location to attend, residents can visit www.prs.k12.nj.us/BoardofEd/Election.
   All polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m.