Photos
School Board Discusses New Budget and New Capital Improvements
Friday, February 22, 2013 • 7:19pm
SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ – The proposed new budget for the 2013-14 school year was presented at the School Board meeting on Thursday evening.
With numbers of students in the District rising over the past few years by more than 100 students, this is posing some challenges for keeping costs down. The presented budget included 4.5 new staff needed across the District.
It was also pointed out that some much needed capital improvements, such as new HVAC at the High School, were being included in the operating budget.
The current numbers could mean a 1.7% tax increase for Scotch Plains and a 2.11 tax increase for Fanwood. However, Superintendent Hayes pointed out that the District would not know until next Thursday what the per students amount would be from the State and how things would have to change if that number was unexpectedly low.
“We are spending the same amount of money, but anticipating the loss of revenue from other sources,” said Board Chairman Trip Whitehouse. The Board was asked to continue to review the budget prior to voting in March.
There were compliments all around for Mrs. Saridaki, who had prepared the budget presentation. The budget will be presented on March 12 at Park Middle School, on March 19 at Terrill Middle School and at the March 21 meeting of the Board the budget will be formally adopted.
After some discussion, the Board voted on a proposal to purchase the property directly adjacent to Terrill Middle school for possible expansion in the future. It was passed, with one no vote.
The Everyday Math renewal was approved and the month of March was designated as Youth Art month in the school district.
