Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-March 25, 2009 Issue

Ridgewood March 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Board introduces budget; proposes reductions in force by John Koster The Ridgewood Board of Education has introduced an $87.6 million budget with a recommendation that reductions in the secretarial, teaching, aide and administrative staffs be considered. The impact of the school budget on the average house valued at $779,756 would be a projected increase of $352 if voters approve the spending plan at the polls. The budget will be presented to the village’s registered voters in the school board election on April 21. The proposed 2009-10 budget includes a general fund of $84,492,527 with a tax levy of $76,758,275, a special revenue fund of $1,289,993, and debt service of $1,906,822 – the tax levy on this item to be $1,435,200. The total budget will be $87,689,342 and the tax levy for the total budget will be $78,193,475. The budget reﬂects reductions of $937,895 in capital outlay, $1,878,052 in fund balance and $12,554 in co-curricular activities. English as a Second Language program costs were up $14,795, just under ﬁve percent; athletics were up 4.6 percent, for an increase of $35,858; and ﬁeld trips increased 550 percent, although the total expenditure for these trips is $5,500, up from $1,000 last year. The increase for special schools was half a percent, or $5,622, from $1,156,100 to $1,616,722. State aid will remain the same this year as it was last year; the district will receive 44,018,073. According to the school’s executive summary of the preliminary budget, the appropriation budget includes an increase of 1.35 percent over last year’s general fund. Revenues will also increase by 1.35 percent based on a maximum four percent increase on the local tax levy. “The main challenge faced by the administration and the board has been to adjust the appropriations budget down to the 1.35 percent growth with a decrease in available fund balance, labor contracts and certain other costs such as utilities, beneﬁts and special education increase at rates greater than 1.35 percent,” the summary states. “In order to balance the budget at the 1.35 percent, the administration is recommending reductions in force (RIFs) that impact secretarial, teaching, administrative, and aide positions. Also, the administration has committed to taking a hard line towards the renewal of contracts for maintenance and custodial services, purchasing services, energy management services, and health beneﬁts.” �� TURN OF THE CENTURY BEAUTY �� Donna O’Neill 201-891-8858 ext. 200 ® �� Each Office Independently Owned and Operated REAL ESTATE ENTERPRISES 637 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff, NJ �� Spring specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 2 Locations Glen Rock & Passaic PASSAIC LOCATION NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! We Offer Line Of Credits And Financing Plans 201.345-5621