Ho-Ho-Kus April 6, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 School budget includes $256 average tax increase by Jennifer Crusco This month, registered voters in the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus will be asked to cast their ballots on the $11,432,932 tax levy associated with the board of education’s proposed $12,491,566 operating budget for 2011-12. The tax rate associated with this budget is 1.05 per $100 of assessed valuation. If approved as presented to the public last week, the budget would result in a tax increase of $256 for the owner of a home assessed at $751,375, which the board used as the borough’s new average following last year’s reassessment. During the previous budgetary process, the board used $906,178 as the average assessment. The tax increase associated with the school budget does not include taxes that will support the borough’s municipal-purpose budget or the taxes associated with Bergen County’s budget. Although the district was working within the two percent cap required by the state, Superintendent Deborah Ferrara pointed out that the state ultimately granted the local districts a waiver to accommodate this year’s increase in health benefits. As a result, the Ho-Ho-Kus School Board presented a budget with a 2.2 percent cap. Ferrara pointed out that retirements will allow the district to restore some programs that were lost or pared down last year. The superintendent pointed out that a basic skills position for small group instruction will be restored, teachers will be able to devote additional time to the enrichment program, an additional 0.5 math teacher’s position will be included, and there will be additional funding for occupational therapy. “Last year, we were really decimated,” Ferrara told Villadom TIMES. She pointed out that she is currently serving as supervisor of buildings and grounds, noting that the district never rehired the two custodial employees lost last year. Ferrara added that students who are involved in extracurricular sports programs will still be required to pay to play in those sporting activities. This year, the district anticipates that it will be sending an additional 17 students to Northern Highlands High School, the regional school that has a long-term send/ receive contract with Ho-Ho-Kus. The cost to send those additional students to Northern Highlands will be approximately $221,000. Ferrara pointed out that the district will lose approximately $120,000 in revenues this year due to a local group’s decision not to rent the school’s facilities and lower enrollment in the CAPS special education program. However, the superintendent pointed out that the district’s loss will be balanced by state aid. This year, the budget anticipates $264,148 in state aid, up from $126,789 last year. Ferrara added that the increase in state aid was almost exactly the same amount the district must spend for pension contributions for all district employees who are not teachers. According to the superintendent, the $1,058,634 difference between the total budget and the amount to be raised by taxation will be covered by approximately $265,000 in state aid, $341,000 in tuition and rental income, $238,000 in surplus, and $214,000 from capital reserve, Ferrara explained. She added that the capital reserve represents the district’s savings toward a new roof for the gym and auditorium and a ventilation system in the gym. The balance of this project’s cost, which is approximately $386,000, will be offset by a state grant. Although the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School only houses students through grade eight, the proposed budget supports borough students who continue through grade 12 at Northern Highlands. This year’s school board trustee and budget election will be held on Wednesday, April 27. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Outside is now open. Our outdoor furniture shop is now fully stocked ������������������������������ ������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������ 10% off all 2011 5-piece sets, Up to 50% off last year’s sets OUTDOOR FURNITURE * Offer expires 05/01/2011. Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty �������������������������� LET THE PROFESSIONALS ���������������������� SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY ���������� and free local delivery* We offer three levels of Property Maintenance & Garden Service Basic or Premium Lawn Care Design Construction (Design Fees Apply) Irrigation Lighting Service ����������� skibarn.com www.chrisjameslandscaping.com info@cjlands.com All major credit cards accepted (201) 670-9000 30 th Residential & Commercial N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000