Schools
South Brunswick Board of Education Weighing Spending Cuts and Layoffs
Budget committee laid out budgetary challenges at Wednesday's meeting.
The South Brunswick Board of Education Budget Committee does not want to sacrifice the quality of the school district’s education, yet very difficult decisions will have to be made to the budget for the 2011-12 school year.
The committee is proposing that the school board keep its tax levy at the current school year level of $94.9 million, which will require a school tax-rate increase of 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and spending cuts totaling about $4 million dollars, or the equivalent of 60 full-time positions
The board has asked employees to agree to a wage freeze for the current school year, which would save about $2.4 million, and is waiting for a response.
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The committee also is considering the closure of a majority of schools during the summer and combining summer school programs, which would save energy costs. There would be programs created to turn the lights off, for computers and the servers to have a faster standard in hibernation mode, and the possible use of solar power.
The district also would seek new revenues, possibly by selling advertising on the sides of school buses, and it plans to consider cost sharing and fees for programs and Advanced Placement classes. There also are discussions about extracurricular activities and a new approach to employee benefits that could cut costs.
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“We have made a conscious decision to become a leaner organization” school board member Martin Abshutz said Wednesday night during a Budget Committee presentation at Crossroads North Middle School.
The purpose of the proposals is both to be more energy efficient to cut costs and prepare for the incoming students.
“Our duty is to prepare the next generation for leadership. We can't continue to eliminate programs,” board member Stephen Parker said.
The budget outlines led to varying opinions from parents and teachers alike.
“My pockets are getting empty. My taxes are going to cost more than my mortgage,” said one resident.
A local mom pleaded to raise taxes rather than shortchange programs for the children. After all, she said, the “school system is why we moved to South Brunswick.”
Residents also questioned salaries, pensions and employee benefits.
The full Board of Education will meet to approve the preliminary budget on Feb. 28.
