The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online-Jun 16, 2010 Issue

June 16, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Board of education accepts cut in budget by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah School District Business Administrator Edward Deptula has confirmed that the Mahwah Board of Education has accepted the $250,000 budget reduction recommended by the township council after the school budget defeated at the polls in April. Deptula explained that the school board has decided to take the entire $250,000 from salaries inasmuch as there have been many more retirements from the district than usual after the budget was set. The differential between retirement and entry level replacement salaries will allow the district to provide enough money to add some staff, particularly at the high school, and still absorb the $250,000 budget cut, he said. At a joint meeting of a Mahwah Council subcommittee and representatives of the board of education, the council members recommended the district trim $250,000 from the defeated budget to address the concerns expressed by the township’s voters in the April school board election. Councilman John Roth described the subcommittee’s objectives at that meeting, explaining that his group wanted to minimize the impact of any recommended modifications to the budget on curriculum and academic programs and allow the board of education flexibility in managing the impact of the recommended adjustments by providing broad direction and not line item specifics. The subcommittee provided the school board with guidance that $171,000, which is equivalent to one percent of the district’s salaries, be put toward the reduction of health care benefits to reflect the community’s desire that salaried employees participate in offsetting escalating costs of maintaining health care benefits, and that $79,000 be put towards the reduction of plant services operation and maintenance. As Deptula has explained, the number of retirements this year has given the board “a little wiggle room” in dealing with the budget reduction. The budget reduction will reduce the 4.7 cent school tax rate increase that would have resulted from the $52.2 million tax levy required by the original $58.2 million total budget for 2010-11 to 4.1 cents. That change will reduce the annual school related property tax increase on the owner of a home with the average assessed value of $358,230 by $21 from $168 to $147 on an annualized basis. Prior to the subcommittee’s recommendation, Deptula spoke in favor of a budget reduction that would have a small impact on the district’s students. He emphasized that the school district has taken several steps over the past few years to reduce costs, including the reduction in staff positions and particularly the reduction of the district’s paraprofessionals from full time to part time positions to eliminate the cost of their health benefits. But he said the board wants to continue the excellent education programs in Mahwah that draw families to the township, and to graduate students who are prepared for college and employment. He also said the board has a strong desire to continue the athletic programs and extracurricular offerings and to continue the activities that contribute to the physical and mental health of the school district’s students. “Rising Stars,” featuring young artists from the Academy of Music will be presented June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Mahwah Public Library. In cooperation with the Academy of Music Summer Festival, international stars of tomorrow will join with world renowned artists to perform solo and chamber music works by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Brahms, Bartok, and others. This concert is made possible with the cooperation of Artistic Director Isaac Malkin of the Academy of Music Summer Community invited to summer concerts Festival. The Bergen Trio, which includes pianist Denise Ramirez, cellist Federica Finardi, pianist/violinist Dana Ramirez, will perform music for solo piano, violin, and cello; four-hand piano; and piano, violin, and cello on June 28 at 7 p.m. These concerts are free. No tickets are necessary. Seats are on a “first come” basis. The Mahwah Public Library is located at 100 Ridge Road. Call (201) 529-READ. �� Times Are Tough - - Especially If YOU Need a JOB! JOB SEARCH TRAINING SEMINAR Given by noted Business Consultant Peg Wright (APD, LLC) Part 1 Sat., June 26 Part 2 Sat., July 24 9am to 1pm Cost: $50 – Scholarships Available Cornerstone Christian Church 495 Wyckoff Avenue – Wyckoff, NJ For info or to register / Call: 201-891-1651 Richard A. Cutler® Craig R.�� Cutler, CFP® �� 48 South Franklin Turnpike �� Suite # �� Ramsey, NJ 07446 301, �� 201-934-6400 �� www.lpl.com/cutlerfinancial �� craig.cutler@lpl.com � �� 6-16-10 janine CornerstoneChristian2x2(6-16-10) �� 2 x 2” �� 6-16-10 janine CutlerFinancial2x4(6-16-10) 2 x 4” rev1 Men’s and Women’s Kinvara Sneakers ��