E.B. school tax hike proposed at 36.6¢
Officials say budget has little in the way of discretionary spending
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

Taxpayers would see a 36.6-cent increase in the school tax rate based on a tentative budget introduced Tuesday by the East Brunswick Board of Education.

Though the 2007-08 budget will be discussed further and could be changed in the coming weeks, the tax hike, as it stands, would translate to an increase of $366 per $100,000 of assessed valuation on a township home.

In explaining the budget scenario, board members said the district has been very frugal when it comes to containing costs, that there is little in the way of discretionary spending in the budget, and that any further cuts would impact education and programs.

Though the state has increased aid to the district for the first time in five years, board members ridiculed the $550,000 boost, saying it essentially amounts to nothing in the nearly $130 million spending plan.

State aid on the whole funds about 15 percent of the total budget; the rest is funded largely by taxpayers.

One tax point is equal to about $400,000 in budget spending.

School Business Administrator Bernardo Giuliana described the increase in state aid as minimal, and board Vice President Todd Simmens said it is "immaterial" and does not make up for the many years of flat funding. In fact, Simmens noted that the percentage of state aid in the overall budget is smaller this time than it was for the 2006-07 school year.

The budget is increasing by $5 million, or about 4 percent, from the current school year, Giuliana said. The budget is at the state's cap on annual increases in the tax levy, he said.

Board members were clearly concerned about the tax increase and whether it would be voted down in the April 17 school election. Any cuts made by themselves or even the Township Council in the case of a defeated budget, they said, would not save taxpayers much money.

Board member William McCann said the consumer price index (CPI) is about 4 percent in New Jersey, so the school tax increase and the 4 percent budget increase should not be a surprise.

"There's nothing unusual, this is basic stuff," he said.

Board member Vicki Becker said that only about 10 percent of the budget, or $13 million, is discretionary spending.

Giuliana said a number of factors are driving the increase, including the opening of new sections of the Central and Lawrence Brook elementary schools, increased costs for salaries and benefits, rising utility, fuel and electric costs, and reduced tax ratables based on the tax appeals of businesses in the township.

The budget process was tailored to achieve goals such as improving classroom instruction, maintaining facilities, improving transportation services, reducing and controlling costs, getting staff to support the new sections of Lawrence Brook and Central, replacing textbooks and other factors.

Among the texts being replaced are those for K-5 math, grades eight and nine U.S. history and economics, as well as number of high school classes.

As for maintaining facilities, he noted the need to replace the HVAC systems at Bowne Munro and Frost elementary schools, Churchill Junior High School and the district's administrative building; replacing the cafeteria kitchen fire suppression system at several elementary schools; replacing curbs and sidewalks at Churchill and the administration building; and renovating the high school parking lot.

Giuliana also noted work planned for the high school athletic fields, upgraded lockers at Churchill and other projects.

He said per-pupil spending is at an average of about $11,500 per year.

All board members voted for the tentative budget, except Stacy Bravman, who did not attend the meeting.

A budget discussion is planned for tonight's board meeting, and another will be held on March 22. A public hearing and adoption is scheduled for March 29.

Copies of the budget are available at the East Brunswick Public Library, the township Senior Center, all the schools, the district Web site and the administrative building.