Breaking Down the Marlboro School Budget

Marlboro residents will see a 2.8 cent increase in school taxes this year, if the Board of Education passes the 2013-14 budget on March 18.

The $88 million budget increases taxes by less than one percent, supported by a $62.6 million tax levy, according to budget projections. Tax rates have the potential to raise to 2.8 cents per $100,000.

As with any school district, salary and benefits make up the largest part of the budget.

This budget calls for $35,838,592 to be spend on instruction, and $15,864,331 reserved for benefits such as health insurance.

The budget is made up of three parts, according to a district budget presentation. The general fund is supported by the local tax levy as well as state aid and revenues from tuition, rentals and more.

Special revenue comes from federal and state grants from programs such as No Child Left Behind. Debt service, from bonds approved by the public in previous elections, rounds out the third portion of the school budget.

Expenses (detailed in the attached .pdf file):

• Instruction $35,838,592
• Benefits $15,864,331
• Pupil Support $7,233,477
• Transportation $4,520,924
• Operating & Maintenance $11,425,606
• Administration $6,575,889
• Staff Development $164,397
• Capital Outlay $575,390
  
• Total expenses: $82,198,606
  

Instruction makes up 43.8 percent of the budget, while the smallest expenditure of staff development makes up .2 percent of budget expenses.

Revenues:

• Local Tax Levy $62,607,136
• State Aid $11,503,607
• Budgeted Fund Balance $4,553,332
• Capital and Maintenance Reserves Transfer $2,500,751
• Tuition $649,000
• Miscellaneous $173,780
• Student Dues and Fees $110,000
• E-Rate Funding $90,000
• Interest Earnings $11,000
• Total revenue: $82,198,606

Revenue in Marlboro Township includes tuition from the kindergarten complement program, which was developed in 2011.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 7 p.m. on March 18 at the district administration offices.

During a March 11 meeting, a tentative budget was introduced and passed by the Board of Education. Board member Bonnie Sue Rosenwald voted no to the budget, and said in the meeting she would also vote no on March 18.