Roosevelt ‘optimistic’ about school aid
By theresa a. boschen
Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT — School district officials are "optimistic" about additional state aid funding that is expected for the 2001-2002 school year.

But "we’re still working for our fair share," said Business Administrator Karen Minutolu.

Recently released figures indicate that the state Department of Education projects $763,889 in state funding for the K-6 Roosevelt school district for 2001-2002, an increase of $100,000, according to the state.

However, Minutolu explained that $41,202 of that amount is deferred revenue from the current school year, and $6,390 of the total amount is represented by a distance learning grant which provides money for Internet services and equipment.

Therefore, she said, the actual net increase in state funding from the previous year is $18,152. She said the district hopes to receive $716,297 in general state aid funding for the 2001-2002 school year.

The school district was hoping for more than that amount so that "we would really have the ability to operate and run our school the way it should be. The reality is that they owe us a whole lot more than $18,000," Minutolu said.

Chief School Administrator Dale Weinbach said the additional funding will offset cost-of-living increases in areas such as payroll and insurances. "We like any increase we get, but we would be interested in getting everything we’re supposed to get," Weinbach said.

Minutolu said the Roosevelt Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposed 2001-2002 school year budget at its Feb. 22 meeting, where the date for the budget public hearing will be announced. The board must submit the proposed budget to the county by March 5. She said the public hearing then will be held sometime between March 22 and March 29. Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the school budget April 17.

At this time, school officials still are awaiting certain state figures and the tuition rates for sending students in grades 7-12 to the East Windsor school district. Eighty-nine pupils in grades K-6 attend the Roosevelt Public School, however, an additional 80 children either attend the Kreps Middle School in East Windsor or the Hightstown High School. "That has a big impact on our budget," Minutolu said.

Minutolu pointed out that the Roosevelt school district is small with few ratables in the borough, therefore making the district "one of the highest tax bases in the state."