Caldwell-West Caldwell 2013-14 School Budget Breakdown

The Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education approved a $42 million 2013-14 school budget Wednesday during a special public hearing. 

The budget contains a general fund of $40,111,868, which breaks down into 11 major categories as illustrated in the info graphic above. 

Instruction is the largest piece of the pie, accounting for a little more than 30 percent of the general fund. The next largest areas are special education at about 20 percent, and employee benefits, which total 17.4 percent of the general fund. 

The $8 million for special education includes expenses, such as busing, physical therapy, speech therapy and aides. 

The main driver in the budget was a 15% increase in employee health benefits, board member John King said. The district participates in a state health plan.

Board Secretary and Business Administrator Kerry Keane said Wednesday the district participates in a number of shared services and co-ops to keep costs down. 

The co-ops offer lower prices by using "buying power," Kerry said. 

She said busing for special education and athletics, for example, are contracted through a co-op. 

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