The R-FH School District Budget News

It's one of three school district budgets in the Rumson-Fair Haven area that has been adopted and it represents good tax break news for Fair Haven residents and not so good for Rumson.

In taking the $16.9 million 2013-14 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School budget, with a $15.6 million tax levy, on the road, school officials revealed that this year's budget represents roughly a 70/30 split in costs between Rumson and Fair Haven and falls right at the state-mandated 2 percent spending cap.

Staying within the cap for increasing spending and levying taxes means that the budget will not have to be put to voters in November.

It all translates into an increase of $18.60 per $100,000 of assessed property value in Rumson, or a total rate per $100,00 of $407. In Fair Haven there will be a decrease of roughly $5 per $100,000 to $391, R-FH Business Administrator Frank Gripp told the Fair Haven governing body and audience Monday night.

The division in tax levy between the two towns is calculated through county and state formulas based on population, taxable property value of the towns (ratables) and other demographics. The percentages vary from year to year, Gripp said, calling it a "needs-based" rather than a "zero"-based budget.

The budget's increases in spending, Gripp said, can be accounted for  in a 10 percent health benefits hike as well as a 4 percent workers' compensation and 20 percent liability increase.

In addition to keeping academia top notch, school safety and security are primary budget goals, Gripp said, pointing out that enhanced security measures, such as camera and lock systems, will be employed this year.

The Chinese language program is also something that was noted as growing, with teaching it at 60 percent this year and a target of 80 percent next year.

At Wednesday night's Fair Haven Board of Education meeting, the subject was broached and Superintendent Kathleen Cronin said that while Chinese was offered during lunchtime for interested, qualifying students, it will be offered next year after school and 16 students have signed up, whereas now there are only a few.

For a detailed account of the R-FH 2013-14 budget, click here.