Thanks to savings in health benefits, taxpayers may feel a slight pinch from the introduced $8.2 million school budget.
The tentative spending plan represents a 1.1 percent increase from last year’s $8.1 million budget.
For the average homeowner, it would cost an extra $54.78 next year on a home valued at $585,200.
This would ultimately contribute to the $6.7 million tax levy – the portion of the overall budget raised through taxes. Last year, the tax levy was $6.4 million.
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High-ranking
expenses for 2008-09:
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• $2,880,003 for regular programs
• $1,029,085 for employee benefits
• $803,130 for operation and maintenance of plant services
• $519,768 for special education
• $325,516 for general administration
• $194,893 for school administration
*Figures compiled from 2008-09 Haworth district budget statement
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District Superintendent David Eichenholtz informed residents at the March 25 meeting that the district weathered various obstacles in preparing the school budget.
These obstacles included the 4 percent state-mandated cap on tax increases, student enrollment growth at the middle school grade level and a $378,580 "pathetic" supply of state aid.
The district stripped its surplus of $100,000 to loosen the tightness of the budget and is quickly drying up, continued Eichenholtz.
But the district did get lucky.
A statewide switch in the health benefits plan to Horizon resulted in significant district savings totaling $262,453. The superintendent said that in addition, the school board would have more latitude in negotiating teacher health benefits directly with Horizon.
"The savings were so dramatic we were able to keep our programs intact," Eichenholtz said.
The district was then able to offset rising costs in programming, special education and technology.
Funds allocated for next year will signal the enhancement of the reading and writing curriculum for grades K-2. School board member Karen Fass said that she has began to look at different reading programs.
School officials also expect to hire new teaching staff, including a new math teacher for next year.
"That surge in enrollment is now making its way into the middle school," said Eichenholtz. "We need additional staffing."
Public voting on the school budget is Tuesday, April 15.
E-mail: gonzalezso@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6711
