Spending plan would hike tax rate by 2 cents
Vanessa Holt
FLORENCE — When preparing a school budget, “you’re not just trying to cut taxes, you’re shaping the future of the kids you’re serving,” said Superintendent Ernie Brattstrom at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Brattstrom presented a revised 2000-2001 budget that will produce a 2-cent school tax rate increase, at the meeting. It was approved unanimously by the nine board members attending.
The $13.8 million budget is 2 percent higher than last year’s, and falls within the 3 percent maximum increase allowed by the state without special voter approval.
The amount to be raised by taxes will be $7.1 million. The proposed tax rate will be $1.689 per $100 of assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at the township average of $104,000 would pay about $1,756 in school taxes.
Enrollment in the district has increased by 219 students from 1990 to 1999, and is expected to continue to rise, particularly in the early grades, explained Mr. Brattstrom. The projected enrollment for the 2000-2001 school year is 1,667 students.
Program growth areas will include foreign language instruction, with Spanish being introduced to second, third and fourth grades beginning next year.
Several audience members expressed concern that students would not be instructed by specialists in Spanish language, but that they would be given “canned programs,” taught by regular classroom teachers.
Mr. Brattstrom said that method is mainly a financial concern, as at least three new teachers would be required if the district were to employ specialists. Next year, existing classroom teachers will be provided with Spanish curriculum materials and training, he said.
Concerns also were voiced about a projected increase of 16 students in the sixth grade next year, which would mean 25 students per teacher in that grade.
Florence Township Memorial Middle School teacher Susan Bassett noted that in a classroom of 25, if seven students have attention-deficit disorder (ADD), a class of that size could experience difficulties.
Mr. Brattstrom said that of the 138 students projected for next year’s sixth grade, 24 would be in special education classes, reducing the student-teacher ratio to about 23.
Audience members also questioned whether the sixth grade should continue to be located in the middle and high school building with much older students.
Mr. Brattstrom said the board is “looking for other solutions” for the situation, but that no changes could be made immediately.
Cost-cutting measures for next school year will include the reduction of two elementary teacher positions. In addition, fewer students will be sent out-of-district next year, reducing the associated costs, including transportation.
Additional savings could come from academic awards from the state, if district students continue to perform well on state tests. The district has received $21,112 in Academic Achievement Reward money this year for high scores on state tests, he said.
Mr. Brattstrom said the proposed budget is tight and concise, and said he hoped residents would vote to approve the budget on April 18th.
Copies of the budget are available at the business office from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.