By Matt Nelson, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The Board of Education on March 21 unanimously approved a budget of $85,481,279 for the 2013-14 school year.
The tax levy for next year’s budget is set at $59,096,205.
Business Administrator and Board Secretary Kurt Stumbaugh said the increase in the budget is within the state-mandated 2 percent state cap.
This year’s budget is $78,079,932. The tax levy is $57,937,456.
Board member Paul Connolly said, “We have a consistent record of maintaining a balanced budget while still striving to meet the educational goals for the students in our classrooms.”
According to the presentation given by Superintendent Edward Forsthoffer, the amount of money in the general fund for 2013-14 is $80,557,658 and includes salaries, benefits and supplies.
The amount for special revenues is $1,551,468; debt service is $3,372,153.
Feb. 28, the school district was notified it would receive an additional $1 in state aid.
Mr. Forsthoffer said, “We only know what the state tells us.”
The superintendent also said that, as of this year, every employee who receives health benefits contributes toward their cost.
”Next year, the amount of contributions will offset the increase in health-care benefits,” Mr. Forsthoffer stated.
Next year’s budget includes additional personnel — an at-risk supervisor for K-12 and elementary supervisor, a nurse for the middle school and high school, one art and music content specialist, an athletic director for middle school, a high school athletics events organizer and five part-time Media Center clerks.
The “at-risk” supervisor will be responsible for students who are performing below grade level. According to the superintendent, programs will be developed and staff will receive guidance from this person. The elementary supervisor will be for grades kindergarten to five.
There are a total of seven nurses plus a floating substitute nurse in the school district. The additional personnel will cost approximately $850,000.
Stu Dolgon, of East Windsor, has been a substitute clerk in the nurse’s office on certain occasions and agreed with the addition of a nurse in the school district.
”I think that’s an excellent idea because having seen how many students come into the nurse’s office for medical situations on top of those that come in to ask questions and get sports physicals forms, I see the nurse who, maybe, walks out of that room five minutes during the entire school day, which includes eating her lunch in the room,” Mr. Dolgon said.
Additional program needs include four elementary computer labs and a physics lab.
There are a number of positions in the school district that will not be funded. They include a dean of students, a special education supervisor, an elementary school assistant principal, a student informational systems coordinator and additional Elmo projectors for the teachers to use during classes.
”They were new positions that were considered or they are positions that we had a few years ago and lost,” Dr. Forsthoffer said.
According to Dr. Forsthoffer’s school budget presentation, an overview of the budget shows there will be a 5.87 percent increase for regular instruction. This is being raised from $23,132,757 to $24,491,511 due to negotiated salary increases and additional personnel.
The budget for co-curricular and athletics is approximately $1 million. The budget restores a previously eliminated stipend for middle school athletics and a new stipend for district athletics.
Curriculum and staff development shows a 21.49 percent increase from $1,423,668 to $1,729,644.
Also, the repayment of debt is expected to drop from $3,510,103 to $3,372,153, which is a 3.95 percent decrease.
”This is due to a restructuring of our debt and renegotiating our interest rate,” Mr. Forsthoffer said.
Because the school district is regional, it receives money in the form of local taxes from two different municipalities, according to the superintendent. In 2013-14, East Windsor will contribute 86.2 percent to the budget; it contributed 86.5 percent this year.
Hightstown will contribute 13.8 percent in 2013-14 compared to 13.5 percent this year.
The superintendent said the state develops this ratio based on the assessed valuations for both towns.
”I believe this budget is fiscally efficient so that we’re able to maintain and improve our program and our personnel,” the superintendent said.
In other business the board recognized the cast and crew of a freshmen orientation video created by Briana Kupper and Matt White. Cameraman was Matthew Encalada, 17, of Hightstown, script writer was Kevin Akey, who teaches language arts and social studies at Hightstown High School, and editor and director was Andrew Koontz, who teaches television production classes.
The video, which was played at the board meeting, was created for incoming ninth-grade students to prepare them for the transition from middle school to high school. This was an updated version of one used for the past several years.
The board also recognized 35 elementary students who participated in the elementary school Science Fair, held Feb. 26 at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School.
Bhavya Kilambi, 9, of East Windsor, from the Ethel McKnight School received first place for her project, “Balloon Car Racers.”
Aneesh Acharya, a fifth-grade student from Perry L. Drew School, won second place for his project, “What is your Washer Footprint?”
Also, Elizabeth Zegarowicz, a fifth-grade student from Grace Norton Rogers School, received third place for “Choosing the Right Fuel for Your Engine.”
Bhavya’s project was designed to test the effects of speed and distance in a balloon powered car.
Aneesh’s project was designed to test water use for an energy efficient washer after receiving constant from the manufacturer.
Elizabeth’s project was designed to determine whether a breakfast that was high in carbohydrates would have an effect on athletic performance.
Seven other elementary school students received an honorable mention, and 25 other students were recognized for their projects in the science fair.
Board members Christine Harrington, Paul Connolly and Lisa Abel were not present.
The next board meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hightstown High School cafeteria.
