Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-April 6, 2011 Issue

April 6, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park District eyes restoring previous cuts The Midland Park Board of Education hopes to use additional state aid it is receiving to hire another fulltime school nurse and restore the director of curriculum and instruction position. The funds are included in the proposed 2011-12 budget which is up for a vote in the Wednesday, April 27 school election. According to Acting Superintendent of Schools/Business Administrator Stacy Garvey, the certified school nurse would replace an aide who is retiring. The aide is a registered nurse, but she is not certified to handle the educational component in the schools. She said that the new position would provide more continuity and reduce the demand on the high school nurse, who is currently responsible for that aspect of the position. Another aide currently employed at the elementary level will remain. In addition to reestablishing the position of director of curriculum and instruction and its staff, the proposed budget also includes increasing art to a full time position and music/chorus to a .8 position at the elementary level, posts that had been reduced over the last couple of years due to budgetary constraints. A new reading program, piloted during the current school year, would also be implemented. At the high school level, social studies and computer teaching positions will be increased by .4, and the computer lab will be upgraded with 24 new computers. The $19,193,640 proposed spending plan is up 3.48 percent over the current year’s, including the $450,000 debt service. The $17,604,887 to be raised by taxation, however, is up $335,438, a 2 percent increase, as limited by state law. If successful at the polls, the budget would increase the school portion of homeowner’s taxes by $.037 per $100 assessed valuation. A home assessed at $300,000, the borough’s average, would see its annual tax bill increase by $111 for school purposes only. Garvey explained that an additional $200,000 in state aid had made it possible to restore previous cuts. State aid was cut $1.3 million in the 2010-11 school year. “We looked to restore items from an academic perspective. No money was added for capital items,” commented board Vice President William Sullivan, who thanked the staff for their work in preparing the budget. The school election this year is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, a change in day and week from previous years due to a conflict with the Jewish Passover. Polls are open from 2 to 9 p.m. Voters will also elect three trustees to the board of education. The terms of board members Ray Moraski, James Canellas and Maryalice Thomas Hagerty are up this year, and they are running for re-election unopposed. Moraski has served for nine years. Canellas is finishing his first three-year term. Thomas Hagerty is filling a two-year unexpired term. Patricia’s Coiffures PERMS • COLORING SHAMPOO & SET CUTTING & BLOW DRYING � �� � �� � �� � �� � �� Tues, Wed & Thurs 8 Godwin Plaza • 644 Godwin Ave.• Midland Park Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-4:30: Open Thursday Evenings 201-652-9608 � �� Calling All �� Be a part of the 19th Annual Crafters and Antique Cars! Allendale Festival Day & Car Show 10am - 4pm Sponsored by Allendale Chamber of Commerce Platinum Sponsors: The Allendale Community for Mature Living TD Bank st �� Saturday, October 1 �� Contact Adrienne at Jumbleiah Memorabilia 201-327-8411 or check the Chamber Website at www.allendalechamber.com ��