Parents Get Up-Close Look at School Budget

Parents asked questions regarding specific cuts, debt service aid, and the sale of Green Village Road School during a budget presentation given by Superintendent Dr. Richard Noonan on Wednesday at Madison Junior School.

The presentation was one of two the district is offering to all residents. A second will be held on Thursday night at 7 in the Madison High School library. The budget hearing will take place in the same room and at the same time on Friday night. Between 25 and 30 people attended Wednesday's meeting, including Board of Education President Lisa Ellis, Board Member George Martin, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barbara Sargent

Noonan's presentation went over the same slides he presented at the Board of Education meeting on Monday. However, in the more intimate setting at the junior school's library media center, parents raised new questions about the preliminary budget and how it was reached.

Part of the state aid cuts that has received less attention on the whole is the 15-percent reduction in debt service aid the district is receiving. Previously, the district had been receiving 24 percent or $600,000 of its debt service per year from the state in paying for the 2005 district construction project. That number was reduced by $100,000.

"Obviously when we passed the referendum, the whole point was that the state would pick up part of the debt service," resident Carla Brundage said.

Brundage asked what the state representatives were saying about the debt service aid cut. Noonan said that he had already sent a letter to Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, and Senator Tom Kean about the situation. He also said Bramnick has pledged to attend a Board of Education meeting soon.

Noonan also reaffirmed that the the bond council is looking into seeing if legal action could be taken to compel the state to make good on its initial obligation.

The sale of Green Village Road School was also discussed, as $7 million from an anticipated sale is in the capital budget. When asked if there were any interested parties in the property, Noonan said the Planning Board still needed to zone the property, and that no sale could take place until then. Once the rezoning takes place, the property would be brought out for sale.

The specific budget cut that brought the most public comment was the junior school's athletic program. The program, which could be saved if a second budget question gets yes votes from 60 percent of voters, had both supporters and detractors regarding the budget at the meeting.

Some residents felt there were other worthy programs or positions that could be put in place of the sports program on the second question. However, others did not believe it should be a cut in the first place. Dr. Noonan said it was considered for the preliminary budget cuts because the borough, through rec programs, offers other opportunities for children of that age group. However, he said the programs were put on the second question for consideration because it affects such a large group of students and parents.

"It touches two very vocal and active groups," Martin added.

Noonan also told attendees that every union group–teachers, administrators, and costodial–were asked to consider forsaking pay increases for the upcoming year. When asked if he thought that would be a legitimate possibility, Noonan pointed to the difficulties the staff has already been through in this budget process. Staff members effected by the budget cuts were notified on Monday before the Board of Education meeting so they didn't find out first from other sources.

"Monday was a very tough day around here," Noonan said while audibly becoming choked up. "People were laid off. They (all staff) know how things are around here."

Another public budget presentation is scheduled for Thursday night at 7 at the high school library.