Board of Ed holds public hearing for 2018–2019 budget

On the average home valued at $203,096, taxpayers can expect a $77.18 annual increase

At the Monroe Township Board of Education meeting on May 3, the board voted to submit the 2018–2019 budget to the county superintendent.

Superintendent Charles Earling noted the budget would provide for maintaining all current programs, purchasing of new math materials for kindergarten through 12th grade, allocating capital outlay funds for necessary facility improvements and safety initiatives, anticipating out-of-district student placement as a result of revised academic setting requirements, immediate repairing of facilities of high priority, among other initiatives.

According to Business Administrator Lisa Schulz, the proposed 2 percent tax levy hike means the owner of the average home assessed at $203,096 should expect to see $77.18 annual increase.

The total budget, according to Schulz, will increase by 2.7 percent, amounting to roughly $102.9 million. The board expects to receive a $1.7 million increase in state aid.

Roughly $1.2 million of the additional funding will be allocated for Holly Glen Elementary School HVAC replacements, $95,000 for key replacements at Williamstown Middle School for security purposes, $100,000 for transportation due to relocation of Holly Glen students as the school remains closed, and $14,000 for additional tech support for hardware and software.

“There is a chance that we may be having this additional state aid taken away from us — we’re not the only district,” Schulz noted. “It’s something that the board and administration is keeping in mind at this point.”

Roughly 59 percent of budget expenditures, according to Schulz, goes to salaries and benefits.

Aside from the Holly Glen HVAC replacements, capital projects include flooring replacements at the school, roofing and boiler improvements at WMS, various district-wide concrete projects, parking lot and curb painting, security upgrades and engineering fees.

Additionally, Earling addressed 2018–2019 budget goals at the public hearing.

“It maintains a safe environment conducive to learning, we have to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population while maintaining high academic standards, and to maintain acceptable class size,” Earling said. “We continue to increase the availability of technology devices to students and staff — we do have an outstanding technology program and all of our students [in] grades one through 12 do have Chromebooks, which is really a tremendous initiative.”

The budget, according to Earling, will also aid in providing a dynamic program to prepare students for the 21st century, providing services and programs to support all district goals and minimizing the tax impact while maintaining the efficient use of tax dollars.

The board voted to make adjustments to the budget after review by the county superintendent that would reallocate money to fund boiler replacements at Williamstown High School.

In other news,

• The board awarded of more than $300,000 a bid for reconstruction of the track at WHS to ATT Sports, Inc. The board also agreed to allow a local track team to utilize the track after the Saint Mary’s School track season ends, and before reconstruction begins, given all necessary documents and insurance is provided.
• A board meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. for the sole purpose of discussing and voting on personnel recommendations for the 2018–2019 school year. The issue was pulled from the last meeting’s agenda.
• Board member Jeffrey Simpler noted community members can volunteer on Saturday, May 26, at 9 a.m, to replace flags at 13 cemeteries for Memorial Day.
• Simpler also recommended action be taken to make the entrance of Kimberly West housing area on Winslow Road a bus stop in light of the recent death of a child in Hammonton who was hit when crossing the street to get to the bus stop. Simpler noted cars often speed down the road where children cross to get to their bus stop, and there’s no crossing guard present.

“Maybe we can look at making the entrance of Kimberly West a bus stop, instead of making them cross Winslow Road next year,” Simpler said. “Or, until next year comes, put a crossing guard there, because I would hate to see one of our children fall victim.”

Councilman Joe Marino, who attended the meeting, agreed reach out to public safety to look into the issue.