Board: No Tax Levy Increase in Proposed 2011-2012 School Budget

The proposed budget that the will present to the public at Thursday night's meeting includes no tax levy increase, according to board business administrator Dora Zeno.

“The preliminary budget the Board adopted in early March included a 2% tax increase,” Zeno said. “In mid-March we received the health insurance premium rate, and that adjustment enabled the administration to offer a budget with no tax increase. The plan at tonight’s meeting is to present a budget with no tax levy increase.”

Therefore, the tax levy for the proposed budget would be $35,716, 268, exactly the same as the current tax levy. The tax rate under the proposed budget is $1.36 per $100 of assessed home value. Residents whose home is assessed at the township average of $319,692 would pay $4,302 under the proposed budget, just as they are currently paying.

The budget of $36,016,268 for 2010-2011 did not receive voter approval, and the township council cut $300,000 from that figure.

The proposed budget figure includes the following staffing needs:

• $186,860 for four middle school teachers to restore a third academic team for the seventh grade based on enrollment;
• $46,715 for an LLD class at the high school based on state mandate;
• $32,000 for job coaches for the high school transition program based on state mandate; and
• $23,357 for in-class support at the middle school based on state mandate.

Program needs that are addressed include:

• New social studies materials for the district;
• The restoration of a third team for the seventh grade; and
• The addition of American Sign Language, Advanced Placement Psychology, and Family and Consumer Finance classes for the high school, all with existing staff.

The budget also addressed facility needs, including:

• $297,000 for roof repairs at the middle school; and
• $$224,674 for window replacement at Milton School. This is 60% of the total cost of $374,456, with the balance coming from a grant.

Finally, the budget includes the replacement of four buses at $348,000 and two vans at $125,000. These will be obtained through a lease/purchase agreement at an annual cost of $121,220 over three years.

Public hearing on the budget will be held during the board of education’s regular meeting tonight, March 24, at 8 p.m. at the middle school media center.