Wyckoff March 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Privatization bid tabled; 2009-10 budget unveiled by John Koster The Wyckoff Board of Education has tabled an item that would have allowed the school business administrator to advertise for custodial and management services from the private sector. A capacity crowd turned out to oppose the change in policy, which led the board to table the matter. Some residents suggested the board pursue other avenues of savings, such as deleting a $75,000 study for the potential “greening” of the schools. “The constraints of budgets that have been subjected to a maximum increase of 4 percent of the tax levy cap, will have the next year’s budget of 2010-2011 be approximately $1.4 million over the state mandated cap,” Wyckoff Board of Education President Christine Roche said in a statement to the press. “The board must look at areas to reduce costs for the next budget year (20102011) without greatly sacrificing the education of the children of Wyckoff. The board looked at the privatization of custodians as a source to reduce costs in future years. There is no impact on the current proposed 2009-2010 budget due to unemployment benefits. Over the next two budget years there is a potential savings of $542,000. If approved the management company will hire custodians for each school and shift that is required. Those hired will have the same background check as all other Wyckoff School District employees. “The board will still have to look at all sources of revenues and every expenditure to look for savings to balance the budget for 2010-2011. “The privatization of the custodians and the public hearing of the budget are on the agenda for the March 30 meeting at Eisenhower school at 7 p.m.” The board has also introduced the $34,994,174 school budget, which includes a local tax levy of $31,559, 494. The budget includes a special revenue fund of $777,278, and debt service of $1,811,218. Additional funding accepted included $130,387 for compensatory education, $14,616 for ESL (English as a Second Language), $9,000 for transportation, $24,180 for corrective speech, and $38,822 for supplemental instruction. Wyckoff Township Committeeman Brian Scanlan, who was present at the meeting, reported to the governing body the following evening that savings of up to $250,000 had been projected if the custodial services were privatized. The township committee’s main concern was whether privatized maintenance workers would be available to open the school building to members of the municipal government on weekends, when spillover of capacity crowds for municipal programs required more seats than Wyckoff Town Hall can provide. When Scanlan said he had been told that weekend openings would remain an option, the township committee concurred that it had no issue with the proposal and took no official stand. Bagel birdfeeder bash Children from the Child Day Care Center at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff recently visited Christian Health Care Adult Day Services of Wyckoff to participate in an intergenerational activity. The children helped the seniors make homemade bird feeders out of bagels, peanut butter, seeds, and raisins to hang around the Spirit Path, a walking path for CHCC’s residents, family members, and staff. Pictured are Sara Caleca of Midland Park, Christian Health Care Adult Day Services client Annie Sciacca of Ho-Ho-Kus, and Catherine Nassar of Wyckoff. Randy’s Auto Repair 11 Crescent Ave., Waldwick • 201-445-2722 Randy Mayo, Proprietor Introducing The Dr. Patrick E. Ryan 909 Belmont Ave North Haledon, NJ 07508 973-304-1577 D ental & enter C osmetic C (regularly a $70 fee) (Formerly located at Citgo Station in Midland Park) Complete Auto Repair Air Conditioning Service on All Makes Tires • Batteries • Exhaust Systems All major credit cards accepted ASE Certified State of the Art Dentistry Over 20 Years Experience • Botox $9 per unit • Juvederm $480 per syringe • Porcelain Veneers $600 per unit • Crowns $690 per unit • Most Extractions $150 • One Hour Teeth Whitening $300 ready • set • GROW! FREE Exam and Digital X-Rays (less radiation) 3-25-09----Randys3x2(3-25-09) 3col x 2” Ester... from Janine Caring for outstanding gardens for over 20 years ONE SOURCE FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE NEEDS IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE WARM WEATHER IS NEAR, BUT SPRING IS HERE ... GET A HEAD START ON THE SEASON’S “TO-DO LIST” AND SAVE SOME GREEN! 20% Off Spring Cleanup 2 Free fertilizer applications. Discount applies towards New Full Service Contracts only. New customers only. TRUST YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES TO OUR FULL SERVICE MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION, AND DESIGN COMPANY WITH ORGANIC LAWN AND TREE CARE, IRRIGATION AND LIGHTING. COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL INSURED BONDED MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LEISURE TIME CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION 201-447-LAWN (5296) www.landscapeworks.net Member N.J.L.C.A & N.J. Turf Grass Assoc. Home Improvement Contractor #13V01991900