MONROE: BOE adopts district budget

By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
MONROE — The Board of Education approved its 2014-15 budget Monday night, with the first reduction for taxpayers in 17 years.
   The new school tax rate will be $1.3434 per $100 of assessed home value, meaning a homeowner with the average property value of $300,709 would pay $114 less than last year, according to officials.
   Bond referendum money was used to reduce taxes, using a $2.5 million bond surplus.
   Business and Administrator and Board Secretary Michael C. Gorski said even if that money wasn’t used, taxes would still be down by about $60.
   ”It was the board’s strategic course set four years ago to continue to provide the vast course offerings and services that the board and administration attributes to student success, but to also create many new efficiencies leading to tax relief for our overburdened community that is grossly under-funded in terms of state aid,” said Mr. Gorski in a statement.
   Total state aid is 3.26 percent of revenues, at $3, 687,427, according to the district, and only slightly higher than the previous year at 3,563,077.
   Officials said state aid for the township has gone down since 2009-2010 when the revenue amount was $5, 471,513, “despite Monroe having to educate over 800 additional students since that time,” said Mr. Gorski.
   The budget calls for a tax levy of $88 million, an increase of $3,041,377 from the prior year’s General Levy of $85 million, according to the budget.
   The budget also includes room for 200 additional students to comply with state mandates.
   At least six buildings also needed roof repair and additional busses and vans, according to the district.