Proposed School Budget to Raise Taxes $200 Annually on Average

The will hold its annual public budget meeting Monday, detailing the roughly $59.2 million 2012-2013 school budget, which would raise taxes about $200 for the average homeowner but result in no layoffs or program cuts.

The proposed budget represents an increase of about $4 million over 2011-2012, or about 7.3 percent.

In addition to emphasizing that the budget does not cut programs or staff, the school district will highlight the following details, among others, at its regular business meeting Monday:

• Elimination of the activity fee at Fort Lee High School
• A tax levy capped at two percent
• Includes debt service—principal and interest—on bonds sold for the in January
• $896,000 for new textbooks, classroom materials and teacher training for Math and ELA
• $200,000 for a “technology replacement program” across the entire district

The roughly $1.04 million capital outlay budget would go in part toward renovating the high school auditorium and upgrading the gym, heat balancing at Fort Lee Schools and and upgrading fire alarm systems in the district.

According to the "user friendly" version of the budget released by the school district late last week, 37 percent of general fund expenditures would go toward regular instruction under the proposed budget, with 20.6 percent slated for employee benefits and 18.8 percent for special education.

The school board based the estimated $200 a year tax impact on a home valued at $500,000.

For a preview of the budget presentation, which will be preceded by another public hearing on lease purchase financing for renovation of the school district’s central offices, download the “2012-2013 User Friendly Budget” PDF from the school district’s website, or click here.

The BOE’s regular business meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday at the auditorium. For a complete agenda, click here, or visit Fort Lee Public Schools online.