Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • March 28, 2012 Ho-Ho-Kus School: Bond re-funding will keep taxes down by Jennifer Crusco At a special joint session last week, the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education advised the Ho-Ho-Kus Council that the district’s $13,414,167 budget for 2012-13 will increase the local school tax by approximately $102 for a home valued at $751,375, the borough’s average assessment. The estimated 1.28 percent increase in the total school tax rate was kept down, school officials said, due to the district’s recent re-funding of $6.58 million in outstanding bonds. As previously reported, the re-funding was facilitated by Standard & Poor’s recent affirmation of the Ho-Ho-Kus School District’s AA bond rating. The district now stands to save $1.1 million in debt service through 2029. The school’s total tax levy for 2012-13 will be $12,345,049, with $683,458 of that amount coming from debt service. The previous budget included $755,778 for debt service. Without the re-funding of the bonds, the tax increase would have been two percent. Although the borough’s registered voters will no longer cast their ballots on any Ho-Ho-Kus school budgets that fall within the state-mandated cap requirement, now set at two percent, the district is still required to prepare, introduce, and approve its budget in the spring, as in previous years. Residents are invited to attend the public hearing on the budget, which has been scheduled for 7 pm. on March 27. The session will be held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School on Lloyd Road. Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent Deborah Ferrara told the council the district strives to be fiscally responsible and efficient while maintaining educational excellence. She pointed to the district’s successful use of shared services, including staff members, and asserted that the district has one of the lowest administrative costs per pupil anywhere. According to a budget summary provided by the district, the administrative cost per pupil is significantly below the regional cost, and has decreased since last year. For 201213, the regional cost will be $1,945, while the cost in HoHo-Kus will be $1,673, down from $1,724 last year. Ho-Ho-Kus School Business Administrator Thomas Lambe commented on the elimination of a district-run special education program. However, Lambe said the loss of that program will have no impact on the district’s finances, since the loss of revenues will be offset by the corresponding loss in expenses. According to Ferrara, most of the budget will be devoted to payroll, benefits, and out-of-district placements for special education students. In addition, the new budget includes an increase in the amount of tuition being paid for Ho-Ho-Kus students to attend Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. The tuition had increased, she said, because more students will be attending Northern Highlands in the coming year. Ho-Ho-Kus does not have its own high school. Over the years, Ho-Ho-Kus students have attended high school in Ridgewood and Midland Park. The district now has a longterm send/receive contract with Highlands. During the coming school year, Ho-Ho-Kus plans to replace its laptops and desktops per the technology plan. Professional development programs will include the Readers/Writers Workshop for students in kindergarten through grade eight, teacher evaluation mandates, and Common Core Implementation mandates. School officials noted that the district expects to receive approximately $35,000 for the lease of its facilities in 201213. They also noted that the district benefits from donations provided by the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Association and from grants, which the district will continue to pursue. Lomartire to attend career institute The Woman’s Club of Ho-Ho-Kus announced that it will sponsor Christine Lomartire of Waldwick High School at this summer’s Girls’ Career Institute program. Lomartire was selected for her participation involvement in school activities, sports, the performing arts, and her community. The GCI Program, in existence since 1947, is held at the Douglass Residential Campus at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and affords a unique mini college experience for approximately 175 students from all over the state. Delegates, selected on the basis of interest, community service, and participation in school activities, will experience a sample of college life by living in a dorm, eating in the dining hall, and attending lectures and workshops. The girls will also learn about career choices and how to network with other delegates. The Ho-Ho-Kus Woman’s Club is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs. Opportunities are provided to women in education, leaderships training, and community service through participation in local clubs. For more information, call (732) 249-5474. Christine Lomartire