Glen Rock Breaks Down Budget on Monday

The Glen Rock Board of Education will take its first public swipe at the 2012-2013 budget on Monday night, according to the agenda.

For the first time, the taxpayers of GR won't have a say in the the largest local tax-driver. The board took the state up on its offer to move elections to November and the law also removes a public budget vote.

included savings expected from a plan to outsource more than 50 custodians and teachers' assistants. The general fund tax levy question on which residents voted was $40,033,500; voter turnout was about one-third lower than the 2010-2011 year.

The tax bill for the average homeowner ($547K) increased $281.42.

This year, budget questions are likely to focus on the transformation of the athletic facility complex. The two percent cap on raising the tax levy will keep the bill down, though many items are outside the cap.

What the district budgets for teacher salaries may be telling in how negotiations progress; contracts for the GREA expire in June. Should the district not reach an agreement, the teachers will receive the same compensation and terms as the 2011-2012 year.

The terms of Barbara Steuert, Gene Calderon and Terry Moore – which were originally up in April – have been extended to November.