The Hazlet Township Board of Education approved the 2016-2017 School District Operating Budget at its recent Board of Education Public Hearing.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bernard F. Bragen Jr. and School Business Administrator Christopher Mullins began the April 25 budget presentation by reviewing the district’s vision and main budgetary objectives. Bragen indicated that the ultimate goal was for all district students to graduate with the college- and career-readiness skills needed to be successful in life.
The general fund budget for the Hazlet Township School District will be $52.5 million and includes a minimal increase in state aid.
“Despite the continued lack of adequate state funding, real estate tax increases have averaged 2 percent over the past five years, and Hazlet’s increase this year is 2.9 percent due to rising health-care costs,” said Mullins.
Budget highlights include numerous technological enhancements, such as expanding the Chromebook initiative to all schools in the district, updating infrastructure and offering additional elective classes at Raritan High School and Hazlet Middle School.
Facility improvements include renovations to the Lillian Drive School media center and computer lab, creating a state-of-the-art culinary arts lab, updating the main office and renovating bathrooms at Raritan High School.
During the presentation, Bragen highlighted the expansion of the highly successful multi-grade class at Lillian Drive School to all of the elementary schools and noted that these classes will allow students to work and learn on individualized learning platforms and progress at their own pace.
The expansion of the Hazlet Township School District’s highly successful summer enrichment program will also continue, and the district will be offering several new courses at Raritan High School and a new schedule at Hazlet Middle School.
Bragen also spoke about the new Early College Academy Program, where students can earn an associate degree from Brookdale Community College while attending Raritan High School.
“The district’s budget presentation demonstrated how the Board of Education is committed to the mission and vision of the district as well as the goals from our Middle States Strategic Plan. We want to continually improve the opportunities for all of our students in Hazlet Township,” said Board President William J. Kolibas.
For more information on the budget, visit www.hazlet.org.