Ridgewood BOE Talks 2012-13 Budget Monday

The will conduct its first public discussion on the upcoming 2012-2013 school budget Monday night.

According to the agenda, the board will broach the subject of salaries and "position control," as well as budgets for each building. Superintendent Daniel Fishbein will lead the discussion.

Last year, the . The current budget – which included zero programming or staffing cuts after the governor reinstated about $850,000 of state aid – increase taxes by $190.90 for the average resident with a home valued at $797,422; or a $23.94 increase per every $100,000 valuation.

The tax levy for the 2011-2012 school year was $81,323,178. Further of the instead of returning additional funds to taxpayers, something Board President Michele Lenhard wanted.

The district has made clear that it was not allocating additional money to the teachers, which have been . The two sides are now at the fact-finding stage having exhausted mediation attempts.

Should an agreement still not be reached by the spring, the current contract will remain in effect, though because of new state laws teachers are paying more into health and benefits.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the on Cottage Pl.