Roosevelt School District proposes $2.4M budget
Taxes for the average homeowner would increase $152 per year
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer
Roosevelt School District spending has gone down, but taxes will still go up if its proposed budget passes.

The Roosevelt Board of Education will hold a public hearing on its proposed $2.4 million budget at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Roosevelt Public School.

Business Administrator Karen Minutolo explained that even though spending would overall decrease by $121,921 the tax rate would rise 5 cents per $100 of assessed value because of a new state law that requires schools to budget $250,000 in unreserved funds. Doing so resulted in a reduction of the district's overall operating budget. Therefore, the general fund, which is used to offset the tax levy, was reduced, expenses were reduced and the tax impact increased.

The spending plan relies on a local tax levy of $1.27 million, which is an increase of $48,703 over last year.

The portion of the tax rate for schools would increase to $1.37 per $100 of assessed value. A house assessed at the borough's average of $300,000 would pay an additional $152.16 in school taxes per year if voters approve the budget during the upcoming election.

Other revenue sources for the budget include state aid in the amount of $811,752, which is a $159.17 increase over last year, and federal aid in the amount of $26,126, which is the same as last year. The district will also rely on $50,000 worth of miscellaneous revenue, which is an increase of $43,000 over last year.

Miscellaneous revenue comes from interest earned in bank accounts and tuition. Roosevelt Public School, which has approximately 95 students, is continuing efforts to increase enrollment and tuition revenue by accepting non-resident students on a tuition basis.

Expenses in the proposed budget include $683,764 for regular instruction, which increased $53,803 over last year. Other costs include $69,133 for special education, $11,050 for basic skills, $4,000 for co-curricular activities, $84,950 for student services including special instruction, $7,000 for media services, $60,937 for administration, $159,752 for operation and maintenance and $139,884 for transportation.

 

The school district does not have its own middle and high schools and sends its students to EastWindsor School District after grade 6. This year the district will spend $928,081 on tuition costs, which decreased $76,255 from last year.

Capital outlay costs also decreased from $103,997 last year to $200 in the proposed budget.

To further keep costs down, the district continues to pursue shared services for paper, gas, teaching supplies and garbage removal. The district also uses consortiums for electric, technology and telephone services and started an interlocal agreement with East Windsor to share a music teacher.

Minutolo said the proposed budget does not include any new programs or new hires.

According to the budget summary, the proposed budget aims to balance needs while delivering the best educational experience possible.

If the board adopts the proposed budget on March 20, residents will have the opportunity to vote on the spending plan during the April 15 election from 2:30-9 p.m. at borough hall.