Proposed High School Budget Carries $85 Tax Increase

A proposed $36,845,472 budget for Watchung Hills Regional's 2013-2014 school year was approved by board members Monday.

The budget will be submitted for review by the county executive school superintendent, and probably modified, before the March 21 public hearing and final approval.

The budget is 1.9 percent higher than the current year's, and includes $27,641,488 to be raised by taxes (which increase by 2 percent). Due to the differences in proportion of assessments in the school's sending districts, the tax impact breakdown varies between the townships:

Business Administrator Tim Stys noted the district saw a 14.3 percent increase in medical insurance costs, plus a jump of 10-15 percent anticipated for property and casualty insurance premiums because of damage from Superstorm Sandy.

In the review of the budget at the meeting, Superintendent Frances Stromsland noted the budget accomplishes the board's goals for personnel, technology, and capital needs.

The budget also includes:

• One additional English teacher;
• 1.4 World Language teacher;
• Adds special education personnel to reduce outplacement of students. The added positions include a 60 percent fulltime special ed teacher; a fulltime position working half-time on the child study team and half as a substance abuse counselor; and two instructional aides. 
• Adds $120,000 to capital reserve