Fair Haven’s BOE Approves $12.2 Million School Budget

The Fair Haven District held a public hearing to discuss its $12.2 million budget for the 2011-12 school year, and the Board of Education (BOE) subsequently approved it. The school budget calls for a tax levy of $11.8 million for residents, which amounts to an increase of 1.6 cents per property assessed value of $100—or $16.26 per $100,000 of assessed value. That means a homeowner with a house at an assessed value of $600,000 will see an increase of $97.56 in taxes.

The budget now awaits the public’s vote, which is scheduled for April 27, 2011.

The 2011-12 budget is about 2.8 percent more than the 2010-11 budget, or an increase of approximately $329,000, which happens to be in line with current inflation figures.

While there was an increase in state aid for this proposed budget over the 2010-2011 budget, there was also decreased revenues from the federal government for the same time period. That decrease in fed revenues was sizeable, from $214,146 for the 2010-11 budget to $160,608 for the 2011-12 budget.

The good news came from an increase in aid from the state: For 2010-11 the borough received $94,159; it will receive $184,807 for 2011-12. Most of the increases in state aid were seen in special education. That aid nearly tripled: It increased from $64,314 for 2010-11 to $184,807 for 2011-12. But it’s still far lower than what the borough received in the past for special ed. For instance, the 2009-10 budget showed special ed aid was $337,495.

Indeed, special education is a major portion of the district’s budget. In this 2011-12 budget, more than $2 million out of the total $12.2 million budget, is for special education. That’s an increase of 11.3 percent from the 2010-11 budget—or an additional $208,124. That amount is spent on the 126 special education children currently in the district.

Superintendent Kathi Cronin said that the district is in a “better budgetary position than last year,” but that it is still “working with a lean budget.” This year, they re-negotiated benefits for teachers, and now they have a  less expensive insurance plan. In addition, “some of the state aid was restored.” Cronin pointed out that out of the 55 districts in Monmouth County, Fair Haven has one of the lowest per pupil costs every year. This year’s $11,628 per student is the 4th lowest in Monmouth County.

At the public hearing on the budget Wednesday night, a dozen residents attended the meeting. Some were grateful for the ability of the board and administration to keep the increase manageable, but others indicated that any increase in these tough economic times could be a burden.

One senior indicated that her income has decreased 10 percent this year and seniors who are asked to pay any increase will be hurt. “You have to keep the seniors in mind,” she said.

BOE President Andrea Bakst said, “We are mindful to those who find Fair Haven expensive. It’s a juggling act, but we keep seniors and all taypayers in mind all the time.” She added that the district has kept the per pupil costs low. Another resident said that with many people unemployed, and with “everyone getting squeezed in corporate America” there has to be shared sacrifices.

Another gentlemen expressed his gratitude to the teachers and administration. Last year, the teachers agreed to a pay freeze to avoid drastic cuts to staff and programs. “Hopefully, they [the teachers] will know our gratitude,” he said, adding “we’re all in this together.”

In the 2011-12 budget, there is a salary increase of 2.75 percent for teachers. That increase is the basis of a three-year contract with the teachers. The teachers also have 100 percent of their insurance paid by the district. One resident said that this could be a negotiating point next year when the teacher’s contracts are up and need to be renegotiated.

“This is a budget where there isn’t any fat in it,” said BOE Member Nancy Walrath. She said that they will be able to maintain programs and staff in existence and students would not be affected by any cuts that were made. “It’s as best a budget we can produce, keeping in mind that 96 percent is funded by residents.”

 Residents can vote on the budget on April 27, 2011, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.