Rooseveltians may see $144 tax increase
Budget covers increased instruction, tuition, special education costs
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT - Taxes for the average homeowner would increase about $12 per month if voters approve the school district's proposed $2.5 million budget.

The proposed budget for 2007-08 amounts to a $172,337 increase over last year's spending plan and relies on a total tax levy of just over $1.2 million, according to Roosevelt Public School's budget summary.

Although Roosevelt residents' taxes would increase if the budget passes, they would actually see a reduced tax rate as a result of the property revaluation that took place in town last year. Properties were reassessed and now have an overall assessed value of $95.9 million, which, according to the budget summary, is triple the previous overall assessed value. Therefore, the proposed budget would result in a tax rate of $1.32 per $1,000 of assessed value, whereas last year the tax rate amounted to $3.37 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Besides the proposed tax levy, this year's spending plan relies on $795,835 in state aid, which increased $33,244 over what was received last year. The budget would also utilize $26,126 in federal aid, which is a $4,594 reduction from last year, according to the budget summary.

The 2007-08 budget would cover a $49,456 increase in regular instruction costs, which cover activities directly involved in the instruction of all students at the school, including teacher salaries, supplies and text books, according to the budget summary.

The budget would also cover a $6,095 increase in the cost for special education, which would total $68,226 in 2007-08. The budget would also provide for a $33,521 increase in tuition costs paid to both the East Windsor School District for students in grades 7-12 and to out-of-district schools where special education students are sent. Tuition costs would amount to just over $1 million in the upcoming school year, according to the budget summary.

The Board of Education also wants to increase the capital outlay portion of the budget by $45,111 to cover special building projects including greening and energy efficiency procedures, safety upgrades, lighting upgrades, etc. This portion of the budget would amount to $103,997 in the upcoming year.

Voters will decide the fate of the proposed budget during the April 17 Board of Education election from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at borough hall. During the election, voters will also cast ballots to fill three board seats. Incumbents Linda Grayson and Jaymie Kosa will both seek another term on the board and newcomer Kelly Yang seeks the remaining seat.