WEST WINDSOR: Board of Education OKs $162 million budget

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR – The Board of Education on March 5 unanimously approved a tentative $162.4 million total budget, which includes a flat tax levy for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
   The district has yet to determine the school tax rate for West Windsor and Plainsboro property owners because it is waiting for West Windsor Township to release its 2013 estimated average home assessment. However, the estimate average home assessment in Plainsboro decreased slightly to $385,500 this year, which could result in a potential tax increase.
   The proposed budget is slightly higher with a .88-percent increase over last year’s, which is largely due to a large chunk of money designated for security expenses. About $1 million is allotted, with half slated for recurring costs and the other half for security related capital projects. Nothing is set in stone, but the district made a potential timeline for immediate security enhancements that could begin as soon as this spring.
   ”It’s to give people a flavor and show them we’re not just sitting on our hands,” added Larry Shanok, the secretary of the board and finance.
   Some of the priciest endeavors the district included for spring were exterior cameras in the main offices, more walkie-talkie radios for security teams and staffing for an “Eyes on the Door” pilot program, which would require someone to physically monitor people who enter the building.
   In the fall, the district projected an updated access door control system, which was listed as $120,000 alone.
   School officials said the projects would be determined on a prioritized basis.Other factors that increased the tentative budget also included additional special education teachers and aides and increase in health premiums for employees.
   Despite the increases, Mr. Shanok thought the focus should be on the $145.1 million flat tax levy.
   ”The big message is the total tax levy to be divided among the two towns is exactly the same,” said Mr. Shanok. “There’s a zero total tax increase and to me that’s huge.”
   Although a flat tax levy doesn’t guarantee taxpayers won’t be paying more, it has helped the district provide an additional $1.2 million in tax relief. The district was also able keep a flat tax levy and increase tax relief because it did not have to budget for a charter school and was able to bolster its excess surplus by being all around frugal.
   There is one component that did decrease: the amount the district received in state aid.
   Although Gov. Chris Christie had stated no district would receive less state aid this year, like Montgomery, the West Windsor-Plainsboro did in fact see a reduction. Both districts are facing the same situation: the state deducting money from their state aid to pay back debt service on the School Development Authority program.
   In the program, the state agreed to pick up 40 percent of school project costs. However, Mr. Shanok and Montgomery Business Administrator Tom Venanzi said the state never disclosed it would be taking back those funds in the future.
   In West Windsor-Plainsboro’s case, it will see almost $64,000 taken from its $7.2 million in state aid.
   ”It’s an expense – it doesn’t put a single teacher in the classroom or a single team on the athletic field,” said Mr. Shanok. “Those dollars go to the state instead of the district’s activities.”
   The board will review the proposed budget on March 12 and the public hearing and final adoption will be on March 27. Both meetings will be held at the Community Middle School at 7:30 p.m.