School Budget Approved with 2 Percent Tax Increase

In a 7-1 vote, the Millburn Board of Education approved an $81,806,821 2013-14 school budget that includes a 2-percent tax increase.

The tax increase will increase taxes for residents about $15 per $100,000 property valuation. For example, for a township home assessed at $1,000,000, taxes will increase an estimated $151.

The budget is a $2.9-million increase from last year's budget, which had one of the lowest tax increases in recent history at 0.65 percent.

The budget includes 11 new full-time equivalent staff positions, mainly at Millburn High School in which 4.8 teachers will be added. District-wide there will be an additional 3.8 special education teachers and aides.  

It will add a full-time security guard at the Middle School and one part-time distrct-wide as well as a part-time tech support, registrar and K-5 instructional supervisory areas positions.

Additionally, the capital reserve fund account will pay for repairs at three schools, finish the MHS stadium renovation project and provide common-area air conditioning at the three K-5 schools.

Board members Dr. Eric Siegel, Michael Birnberg, Regina Truitt, Rona Wenik, Raymond Wong, Dr. Rupali Wadhwa and Jeffrey Waters voted for the budget while Lise Chapman voted against.

Chapman voiced once again her dissapproval at the budget, citing issues with the administration's allocation of funds to capital improvements instead of spending the money in the classroom.

"This is the same budget we were given Jan. 14," she said. 

Chapman added, she is hopeful about working with the administration moving forward with the concerns raised. 

Also new to the budget:

• At the middle and high school a new robotics courses will be offered.
• Professional development involved with the new teacher evaluation system that will be in place district-wide in September 2013.

Earlier this month, the district received news that in spite of the federal budget sequestration, its state aid would remain flat at $1,882,982.

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