Glen Rock May 27, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Council recommends $425,000 school budget cut by John Koster The Glen Rock Borough Council has trimmed the defeated school budget by $425,000, reducing the tax levy from $38,163,970 to $37,738,970. The cut represented the lower part of the range the council had considered. The single largest cut was $101,795 saved by the elimination of budgeted capital reserve deposits. The council cut $90,000 from health benefits due to retirements, $14,248 from a media center salary due to retirement, $20,037 from special education funds due to a student’s graduation, and $35,626 made possible by retirements of nine to 12 teachers at the top of the salary guide. The elimination of fertilization of the athletic fields saved $40,000, and $20,000 was saved by a reduction of custodial supplies, with another $20,000 saved in reduction of part-time and summer maintenance and custodial work. Elimination of infrastructure upgrades saved $30,000, and $15,000 was saved by reduction of general instructional supplies. Reduction of maintenance over- time saved $10,000. The council cut $10,000 from extraordinary services supplies, $10,000 from board travel expenses, and $3,000 from child study team office supplies. The elimination of technology department furniture saved an additional $5,000. State law requires the Glen Rock Council to review the defeated budget with board of education trustees to consider possible cuts. The school district is not bound to follow the recommendations precisely if the district stays within the reduced tax levy set by the council. Trustees have the right to appeal to the state’s commissioner of education, Lucille E. Davy, to have the recommended reductions restored. The commissioner can approve the district’s original budget, approve the council’s recommended reductions, or make different revisions to the budget. The school districts are further permitted to appeal the commissioner’s decision to the state board of education and to the Appellate Division of Superior Court. ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ������������������������� ���������� ����������������������