Schools
Warren Board Holds 2013-14 Budget Below State Cap
Owner of a $643,250 home can expect a $122 increase in school taxes.
The Warren Township Board of Education approved a 2013-2014 budget that falls just below the state-mandated 2 percent cap, after a public hearing Thursday.
With the general tax fund increase at 1.95 percent and the debt service tax levy decrease at 1.65 percent, the overall tax levy increase is 1.89 percent.
As a result of the 1.95 percent tax levy, annual taxes for the average residential home in the township, now valued at $643,250, are projected to increase $122. This amount also reflects a 2.81 percent increase of the value of the average home, which previously had been assessed at an average of $625,650.
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The budget totals $43,141,570, with $37,766,740 to be raised in property taxes.
The 2013-14 budget reflects a $13,385 decrease in state aid, as well as decreases in debt service and debt service aid due to having only one bond remaining.
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The 7.24 percent increase in employee benefit rates has been partially mitigated by an increase in employee contributions.
While administrators stressed that the budget reflects “increased efficiencies while continuing to support the district’s Innovation and Design curriculum,” decreasing enrollment contributed to the reduction of two teaching positions at the elementary school level and a half-time special education teacher; on the other hand, staffing will increase in Curriculum, Technology and on the Child Study Team.
There was no public input on the budget and it was unanimously approved by the six board members in attendance.
In other business, board member Kathy Helewa reported that she and fellow member Roberta Monahan are scheduled to meet with State Assemblyman Jon Brammick next week. Among the topics they anticipate raising are concerns that “very high value things are being compressed into a quick time period,” the superintendent salary cap and opposition to third-party administrative courses online.
Helewa also hopes to discuss the topic of subcontracting, which she called a “local control issue” that “limits the best way for school boards to make their budgets.”
