Public Pleads Against School Budget Cuts

Wyckoff teachers and members of the community at-large pleaded with members of the Township Committee Monday night not to make further cuts to the defeated school budget.

"Please do not sacrifice education in this community," said Calvin Donnell, a resident and Eisenhower Middle School teacher.

"We recommend to the Town Council (Committee) and the Board of Education that no additional educational positions or programs be cut from the 2010-11 budget," said Kathy Bowers, Wyckoff Education Association president and an Eisenhower teacher.

Governing body members pledged not to make any cuts that will impact kids' education.

"There are ways to cut this budget.. that will not impact the kids," said Committeeman Chris DePhillips, who has children in the district. "There is some fat in this budget."

His Finance Committee partner, Committeeman David Connolly, echoed DePhillips' comments: "We're not out here to hurt the kids at all."

The governing body has until May 19 to review the $33.3 million spending plan that was defeated at the polls by 22 votes. It is empowered to make a recommendation to the Board of Education on spending cuts (although it can recommend to keep the $31.8 million tax levy intact) and is expected to pass along specific line-item suggestions. The school board has to accept the committee's monetary figure (although it can appeal the recommendation to the state Department of Education) but does not have to follow the committee's recommendation on line items.

"We firmly believe our budget is a solid one," said school board President Anthony Robert Francin. "It's not a Cadillac budget... our position is its a decent Buick budget."

Members of the board and committee have been meeting since late April to assess the budget, with Monday's hearing an opportunity for the public to offer their input. Committee members emphasized that they have not yet made decisions on cuts but spending reduction recommendations are likely.

"Every budget has room for a second, third or fourth look," said Mayor Rudy Boonstra.

"There are efficiencies in this budget," DePhillips said.

For example, the first-year governing body member pointed out that approximately $643,000 has been budgeted for painting and paving, which could be targeted so as to avoid taking from any programs or staff. Additionally, he and Connolly vowed not to touch core subject areas, while Connolly and Committeeman Brian Scanlan supported restoring the track and field program, which had been cut from the spending plan along with all other interscholastic sports, following the total loss of state aid.

"We do not intend in any way to impact the excellence in education," Boonstra said.

Several teachers spoke in support of their colleagues and urged against further cuts.

Donnell told the crowd he pays 25 percent of his take-home wages in property taxes, but the burden is more than worth it to provide his children access to Wyckoff schools.

"I moved here because of the school system," he said.

Resident Cynthia Phillips asked the committee to justify the need for more cuts. The mayor pointed to the municipal budget, up for a final vote tonight, which was slashed by the loss of state aid, while the school board applied a portion of its $1.45 million aid loss toward the tax levy.

Teachers, including Harold Olejarz of Eisenhower school and John Nolan, who teaches in Paramus, said educators already sacrifice much to devote themselves to the children and urged against cuts. 

However, some suggested the tax burden on residents is becoming too much to bear.

Jim Savage of Bromley Place, who voted against the school budget, said residents "can't sustain business as usual.

"The town is increasing our taxes, the county is increasing... what are people supposed to do?

"There's an obligation, I think, on the part of council (committee) to do something about it," Savage said.

Resident Bill Wolf of Farview Avenue agreed: "We can't do business as usual.

"If there's waste we can take out without hurting our kids," let's do it, Wolf said.

Eugene Lipkowitz of Old Woods Road said he doesn't think current economic reality has "sunk in" at the board level and recommended consolidating administrative positions.

Board of Health President Dorothy Fish reminded all that while Wyckoff is considered a relatively affluent community, there are many, especially seniors, who absolutely cannot afford ever-rising taxes.

DePhillips agreed, saying that the committee is mindful that for some, "it's very difficult to stay in this town."

The rejected school budget would have raised taxes, based on the average assessed home ($807,000), by $290. The municipal budget will raise the average tax bill by $81.

The 2010-11 spending plan had already planned for the loss of 10 staffers, including world language instructors, while capital expenditures were cut and interscholastic sports were eliminated. Additionally, the board had planned to trim its ESL program.

The committee has scheduled a meeting for 8 a.m. May 17 to vote on recommendations to the school board in advance of the May 19 deadline. Both governing bodies stressed Monday that talks thus far have been collaborative and civil.

"Together, we'll get it done," Connolly said.