$139M Projected School Budget to be Presented

The board of education is expected to hear a second presentation on the proposed .

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder is expected to make a second presentation on the budget at Tuesday’s board of education meeting.

This proposal expects flat state aid, although those numbers won’t be available until February or March.

The total proposed budget, at this time, is $139,392,430, a 2.88 percent increase over the 2012-2013 budget.

This 1.76 percent increase, Schilder has said, also represents no additions or cuts to the budget as it stands now, although a 2 percent increase—the maximum allowed by the state—would allow for the addition of $285,475 of costs into the budget.

Many costs are being considered for the 2013-2014 budget, but none are finalized, including the replacement of the roof at John F. Kennedy Primary School for $850,000, and the replacement of the high school air conditioning unit in the boiler room for $425,000.

There is also an inclusion of wireless technology for the primary schools for $280,000, and money for four floating teacher positions for all grades.

Other projected costs at this point, Schilder said, include $32,300 to add a bowling team to the high school, $45,000 for replacing the phone system at Adamsville Primary School, $15,000 for a new PA system at Bradley Gardens Primary, $125,000 for some repaving and $30,000 for additional security at the high school.

There is also, Schilder said, $45,000 included for compliance with EE4NJ, particularly in terms of getting substitutes while teachers are in training.

And, Schilder said, there is $50,000 included for refurbishing the high school library.

Tuesday’s budget presentation will be the second of about five planned before a budget will potentially be adopted.

The meeting will be held at 8 p.m. at the Harmon V. Wade Administration Building on Newmans Lane.