Allendale April 4, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 K-8 school budget includes a $108 tax increase by John Koster The Allendale Board of Education has approved a $16,272,768 K-8 school budget that will increase the annual property taxes on an average house valued at $619,492 by about $108 per year. The budget, which is just under the two percent stateimposed cap, will not be on the ballot in November when Allendale residents vote for the board of education candidates. The proposed school tax levy for 2012-13 is $13,817,744, up $270,937 from the 2011-12 budget. The tax increase per month is projected at about $108 a year or $9 a month, but does not reflect municipal-purpose or Bergen County taxes, or taxes for the Northern Highlands Regional High School. The budget, as described at the March 26 meeting, left the school staffing intact, did not cut any academic programs, and maintained recommended class sizes. Allendale starts world language programs in the first grade and has extensive electronic and computer programs in the classrooms. Students take part in a number of public service projects. The Brookside School sent 11 students to the competitive Bergen County Band and Chorus, and had a Hillside School student chosen to play piano at Carnegie Hall in New York City. All grades were reported at or above proficiency both in language arts and mathematics. Capital projects this year will include a security telecommunications system for both the Brookside and the Hillside schools, an upgrade of the school boiler at Hillside, lighting and ceiling upgrades to the Brookside School, and drainage site improvement at the Hillside School. Maintenance projects will include electric repair, flooring and plumbing repair, and interior and exterior painting as per the regular rotating schedule. The school property taxes that will support the Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale will decrease by $7.63 on the average Allendale home assessed at $540,942. The taxes on the average Upper Saddle River home assessed at $755,280 will increase by $13. A partial restoration of state aid totaling $219,000 figured in the modest reduction for Allendale and the modest increase for Upper Saddle Rover as reported to the Northern Highlands Board of Education on March 26. The total operating budget for the district was reported at $25,417,177. The tax levy was reported at $20,071,953, which represents an increase for the entire district of 1.06 District keeps taxes under control percent. Debt service was reported at $1,141,004. The school system was able to save $100,000 on a rebidding of transportation routes, and saved $329,744 by refunding its school bonds at a more favorable interest rate. A science teaching position that had been cut last year has been restored, and a decommissioned school bus was restored to service. Administrative costs are reported to be below the statemandated cost per student, and Northern Highlands was said to have the lowest in administrative costs per student of any regional high school in northern New Jersey. J. KOSTER The Allendale Civic Association will meet on Thursday, April 5 from 8 to 9 p.m. in the council chambers located on the second floor of the Allendale Municipal Building at 500 West Crescent Avenue, Allendale. The ACA is an unaffiliated civic association with a mission to engage citi- Civic organization welcomes new members zens in the open discussion of issues relevant to the Borough of Allendale and to encourage and support candidates who will address these concerns. Meetings are open to all of Allendale’s registered voters. For details, contact Tom Robbins at (201) 934-5573 or atomrob@yahoo.com.