School Budgets: Key Facts and Figures

After a unique and challenging budgetary season that saw both the Wyckoff and Ramapo Indian Hills school districts losing all of their state aid, voters will get the chance Tuesday to register their opinions on the proposed spending plans, which were both reduced from their original drafts.

Polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. at Eisenhower Middle School (Districts 2, 6), Coolidge Elementary School (Districts 1, 5), Sicomac Elementary School (Districts 4, 8) and Lincoln Elementary School (Districts 3, 7). 

The approval of both the Wyckoff and RIH budgets' tax levies would trigger property tax increases on all residents. However, should the budgets be defeated, the spending plans would go to the Township Committee, which could be expected to make further cuts to plans that feature staff and program reductions while likely still levying tax increases.

Some of the key facts and figures are as follows:

WYCKOFF SCHOOL DISTRICT

• Total budget: $33,228,727;
• Tax levy: $31,808,113;
• Average tax increase (based on a home assessed at $807,000): $290;
• Percentage increase over 2009-10 budget: 4.2 percent;
• State formula aid lost: $1.45 million (100 percent);

• State aid loss applied toward tax levy: approximately $550,000;

• Staff cuts: 10 employees (2 world language teachers, two Eisenhower teachers, four clerical aides, part-time nurse, part-time ESL teacher);
• Other cuts, reductions: Interscholastic sports will be eliminated. Capital projects will see $294,500 in funding, down from $722, 454 in the current budget. ESL programs will be offered at two elementary schools rather than at all four.
• Increases, fixed costs: Teacher salaries are increasing by 4.4 percent, with a $20.6 million outlay that represents almost 62 percent of the total budget. Contracted health benefits will cost the district $3.73 million. Special education and tuition is budgeted at $2.1 million. Utility costs represent $1.07 million of the budget.

RAMAPO INDIAN HILLS DISTRICT

• Total budget: $47,736,259;
• Tax levy: $45,854,902;
• Average Wyckoff tax increase (based on a home assessed at $807,000): $98.50;
• Percentage decrease from 2009-10 budget: 1.75 percent (although the tax levy is 4.33 percent larger than the current levy);
• State formula aid lost: $2.1 million (100 percent);
• State aid loss applied toward tax levy: $314,094;
• Staff impact: A special education aide will be let go, and two administration assistants will go from a full-year to 10-month schedule. Additionally, 34 district employees, including Superintendent Dr. C. Lauren Schoen and business Administrator Frank Ceurvels, agreed to a salary freeze over the next school year.
• Cuts, reductions: The high schools will see their operating budgets slashed by $600,000. Also, capital expenditures will be cut by $1.2 million.
• Program impact: A new science curriculum will be reduced from its original proposal, which would have necessitated the hiring of two teachers. Field trips will be eliminated, and five student clubs are expected to be cut. Three university programs will see reductions. Additionally, junior varsity and freshmen athletic teams will play reduced schedules.