April 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah School budget includes staff cuts, tax increase by Frank J. McMahon At the recent public hearing on the 2010-11 budget for the Mahwah’s K-12 public schools, the community learned that the budget includes staff cuts and some program changes in an effort to address the loss of $2,768,603 in state aid. The total budget is $58,205,633, which represents a decrease of $916,570 or 1.6 percent below the previous year’s budget of $59,122,203. The tax levy required to fund this year’s budget, however, is $52,151,030, an increase of four percent over last year’s $50,145,221 tax levy. That four percent tax levy increase will raise the 2010 school tax rate by 4.7cents to $1.30. The annual property tax increase as a result of this tax levy increase on a Mahwah home with the average assessed value of $350,000 will be $165 annually. That school tax rate increase must be added to any tax rate increase in the township’s municipal budget, which has not yet been introduced, and any potential increase in the Bergen County property tax rate and open space tax in order to determine the total property tax increase the owner of a home with the average assessed value will have to pay in 2010. Edward Deptula, the school district’s business administrator, explained the reductions in the budget involve the elimination of one teacher position at Lenape Meadows and one at the Betsy Ross School and two at the Joyce Kilmer School, which Superintendent Charles Montesano said are primarily due to a drop in enrollment, plus one gift and talented teacher position and one teacher position at Ramapo Ridge School. In addition, one school custodian position each at the Betsy Ross and George Washington schools will be (continued on page 11) Mahwah Daisy Troop 4401 and the some of the food they collected for the Center for Food Action. Cheerful helpers Serving ty un ergen Co ars B 25 Ye for Lots of furniture • Art • Audio Home Decorating • Bicycles Albums • Outdoor Furniture Ridgewood ...and lots of misc. items Moving Services Come and Browse SATURDAY, May 1 9:00-3:00 Cash/Check ONLY Additions • Renovations Kitchen, Bathroom & Basement Remodeling Windows • Doors • Siding • Roofing Interior & Exterior Carpentry Licensed & Insured • Free Estimates Home Remodeling LLC Irish DON’T TRY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE... PREPARE FOR IT. Personalized Estate Planning & Financial Consulting Mary Jane Callaghan 201-934-1818 ext. 201 maryjane@efallc.com • Retirement Planning • Investment Planning* • Charitable Planning • Estate Planning 575 Corporate Dr. Mahwah, NJ (201)529-2211 All work performed by owner Hillsdale, NJ • 201-965-5281 *Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 300C LAKE STREET • RAMSEY, NJ 07446 • WWW.EFALLC.COM 4-14-10 Joan/Janine RidgewoodMoving2x2(4-14-10) � ����������� 2 col x 2” Full Service Landscape Professionals since 1978 LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC. E The Black & Decker Electric Mower Starts With The Flick Of A Switch It Never Runs Out of Gas And Doesn’t Pollute! ������������� 4-14-10 Karen/Janine EvergreenFinancialColor2x2(4-14-10) 2 x 2” Rev1 ��� Easy to Operate 18” Mulching Mower With Flip-Over Handle LANDSCAPE DESIGN CUSTOM LANDSCAPE MASONRY IRRIGATION AND LIGHTING FULL SERVICE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ESIGN CENTER 413 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park • 201.891.1199 ANDSCAPE GALLERY AND GARDEN S 11 Barnstable Court, Saddle River • 201.825.4440 www.jacobsenlandscape.com Other Models To Choose From ������ ���� ���������������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������� ������������ D ������������������������������������ L Propane Available 7 Days A Week Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5 27 FRANKLIN TPKE, WALDWICK www.homehardwaresupply.com 201-652-5666 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 ��������������������� ���������������������