School budget brings average tax hike of $56

By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The 2014-15 school budget maintains programs and plans for the future of the school district, according to officials.

The $141.94 million spending plan increases the annual school tax bill $56.50 on a home assessed at the township average of $188,400.

The Board of Education voted unanimously to support the budget during its April 28 meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Gary McCartney said the budget is a fiscal translation of the programs offered and the support of the district’s personnel.

The budget focuses on preserving the comprehensive educational program, maintaining a safe and caring environment with security initiatives, continuing practices that contribute to the district’s strong results, protecting the district’s investment in its facilities and properties, and planning for its future, according to school officials.

The budget process involved striking a balance between competing interests, officials said. They sought to maintain favorable class-size ratios, preserve programs and services, meet state and federal mandates, and account for collective-bargaining contracts. Officials also sought to acknowledge the ongoing economic recovery and bring the budget within the state-imposed 2 percent cap on spending increases.

Other considerations included unemployment benefits, health care and pension contributions, disability and social security, energy costs, charter school tuition, capital expenses, emergency reserve funds management and refinancing outstanding debt.

Building initiatives in the budget include windows at Brunswick Acres and Constable elementary schools, new lockers at Crossroads South Middle School and an athletic turf field at South Brunswick High School. The budget also funds HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment and controls at Crossroads North Middle School and the instructional area at Deans Elementary School.

The budget also includes required annual maintenance of floors, walkways, security systems, parking lots and gymnasiums at the school buildings.

The tax levy for the 2014-15 budget stands at $98.15 million — an increase of approximately $1.9 million from the current school year.

The district received $23.4 million in state aid, which is up about $174,900.

McCartney said there are a lot of good things happening in the district, even though it has one of the lowest school tax rates in Middlesex County. He noted that the district’s per-pupil cost of $11,972 is well below the state average of $14,506.

The superintendent said the district has received accolades on the national level, with South Brunswick High School being recognized as a National School of Character, and the high school band was named best in the state and took second place on the national level.

For more information about the budget, visit www.sbschools.org. Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com.