Council shaves off most of school tax increase Suggested cuts range from staffing to legal services BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer East Brunswick Township Council members cut 5 cents off the proposed school tax rate increase, saying the move was the hardest decision they've had to make. The council voted unanimously Monday night to eliminate most of this year's school tax hike after voters defeated the 2008-09 budget in the April 15 school election. Each of the five members later gave their own reasons for the cut, which brings the increase from 6.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 1.9 cents, shaving $75 off the $103 increase for properties assessed at $150,000. Residents will still see an additional increase in school debt service taxes, which were approved in prior referendums for school construction. The cuts added up to more than $1 million of the $134.4 million budget, bringing its tax levy down to $106 million. The cuts came despite pleas against doing so by members of the public, including teachers and PTA members, who came out to council meetings this week and last week. Council President Catherine Diem, in an impassioned speech about the cut, noted that almost all the members of the audience who came out to complain about the budget cut had left the meeting before hearing the council members' reasoning. About eight people did stay, including East Brunswick Education Association President Ruth Davitt, and they heard Diem explain how economic problems and uncertainty led her to believe that cutting 5 cents was the right thing to do. In response to comments from a parent in the audience, Diem said she did speak with numerous people involved with the school district before deciding on the cut. She also said that none of the cuts were being made to existing school staff positions. Before Diem's comments, Township Business Administrator James White read a list of the budgeted items that the council was recommending for cuts, though the Board of Education will be able to choose any areas they wish in order to achieve the 5-cent reduction. The board can also choose to appeal the council's decision to the county superintendent of schools. Among the larger cuts suggested by the council were $147,000 for health benefits for new employees, $127,000 in salaries for two new guidance counselors - one each at Hammarskjold and East Brunswick High School- and $60,000 for an additional school psychologist. Other cuts included $104,000 from satellite school food services, $50,000 from general supplies, and $28,000 from the study island program. Also, $66,000 for facility rental was suggested as a cut, though White said the township will work with the school district to resolve that issue. A few of the proposed 12 new teaching positions in the budget were proposed for elimination, including a music teacher, family and consumer science specialist and industrial arts teacher, all at Hammarskjold. Each position saves $47,000. The council also cut a half-time theater arts position, for $23,000. Legal service costs were reduced by $75,000, with White saying the $216,000 to remain in the budget is enough to cover expenses. One new custodian position for the Hammarskjold Middle School was eliminated, saving $25,000. The council also cut a new journeyman carpenter position to the tune of $30,000. Two secretary positions, each about $27,000, were also cut, and the council took out $11,000 for training and travel for board members, administrators and other personnel. New equipment purchases were cut by $12,000; maintenance and grounds by $7,000; the high school video game programming curriculum by $3,000; and a Civil War reenactment program for $1,700. The council also cut $10,000 of added hours for an autism specialist; $2,500 for new "Eye in the Sky" equipment and $12,000 for a keynote speaker. Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro said Tuesday that the size of the cut is a concern. "Considering the current economy, the board and the administration worked very hard to put a fiscally responsible budget before the voters.We presented the lowest increase in 13 years," she said. "I am disappointed that the town council felt the need to cut 72.5 percent of the increase. The district is facing the same rising cost for fuel, utilities and food as everyone else. With such a small increase it will be nearly impossible to meet the rising costs." Councilman David Stahl said during the meeting that the main problem is with the way New Jersey schools are funded. He said he has seen little improvement in the oft-criticized state system since he began as a council member six years ago. The school budget, which received a 4.67 percent increase in state aid, bringing the total aid to $20.5 million, was defeated April 15 by a vote of 2,350 to 2,319. Councilman Donald Klemp said the council had an obligation to listen to the voters' message. "A majority is a majority," he said.