SAYREVILLE – The Sayreville School District Board of Education has adopted a $108.4 million budget that will fund the operation of the district during the 2020-21 school year.
Following a discussion among district administrators and board members, the budget was adopted on May 5. Board President Anthony Esposito, board Vice President John Walsh and board members Lucy Bloom, Christopher Callahan, Carrie Kenny, Danielle Pieloch and Karen Rubio voted “yes” on adopting the budget; board members Dan Balka and Phyllis Batko voted “no”.
The budget will be supported by a tax levy of $68 million to be paid by the borough’s residential and commercial property owners. Other revenue includes $1.61 million from the district’s surplus fund (savings).
The district’s 2019-20 budget had a school tax rate of $2.909 per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home in the borough was assessed at $144,724. The owner of that home paid about $4,210 in school taxes.
For 2020-21, the school tax rate is projected to increase to $2.959 per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home in the borough is estimated to be assessed at $145,024. The owner of that home will pay $4,291 in school taxes, an increase of $81.
Individuals pay more or less in taxes depending on the assessed value of their home and/or property. School taxes are one component of a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Middlesex County taxes and Sayreville municipal taxes.
The $102 million budget adopted by the board for the 2019-20 school year was supported by a tax levy of $66.7 million and the receipt of $28 million in state aid.
For the 2020-21 school year, Sayreville is intended receive $31.4 million in state aid, an increase of $3.4 million. The school district’s state aid has increased each year since the enactment of state legislation known as S-2 in 2018.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on state resources, however, board members acknowledged that the district may not receive an increase for the upcoming school year.
“If this aid gets cut, this is probably going to be some of the most difficult decisions that we’re going make as a board,” Esposito said. “A lot of great things will be cut, so let’s just hope that doesn’t happen.”
After the budget was adopted, Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe said, “We are very pleased about the passing of the 2020-21 school district budget, as the funds in it will assist us in further improving student learning, as well as our operation, facilities, and infrastructure. However, our excitement has naturally been tempered by the pandemic and imminent fiscal crisis that our community and state will soon face in its aftermath, which may ultimately lead to a reduction in state aid and federal funding. Nevertheless, we will cautiously proceed with the plans set forth in it.”