2010-2011 Freehold Borough School District Budget

[dfx]

Dear Freehold Borough Residents –

Recently Gov. Chris Christie announced a reduction of state aid to all public schools throughout the state. As a result many of our neighboring school districts are in the process of requesting tax levy increases (from 2.5 percent to 5.71 percent) in conjunction with sizable staff reductions and the elimination of certain after school programs.

The 9.26 percent state aid reduction for Freehold Borough equates to a loss of $858,585. However, following Tuesday night's Board of Education approval to a 2010-2011 School Budget, we're pleased to announce the Borough's proposed budget includes zero staff reductions, no elimination of programs, and absolutely no increase to current class sizes – all achieved with a minimal tax levy of just 1.76 percent. We accomplished this by exhausting the Borough’s excess surplus funds in combination with lowering the overall total operating budget by .03 percent. In addition, the Business Personal Property Tax Adjustment (or BPPTA) will be supplementing .66 percent of the 1.76 percent levy – thereby reducing the net out-of-pocket cost to 1.10 percent.

In summation, the Board of Education feels that the proposed 2010-2011 School Budget strikes a key balance that ensures both the affordability and continued quality of a Freehold Borough education during these economically challenging times.


Thank you,

The Freehold Borough Board of Education

[leelye]

and no give backs of a lucrative contract either....If the Super wants to help the residents of the Borough, she should forgo her 3.5 percent raise this year on her over inflated salary !! Approved or not, "it's for the kids" right

Please don't forget this REGISTERED voter's when the BOROUGH asks you to approve a 4 percent increase in property taxes !!

just my opinion !!

freehold.injersey.com/2009/12/01/borough-school-board-oks-new-superintendent-contract/

[dfx]

Point of clarity:

The Board of Education demanded the school revisit the 4 percent property tax levy increase (originally proposed on 3/22) and it was reduced to 1.76 percent. There is no longer a 4 percent tax levy increase on the table for the April 20th vote.

That said the 3 bargaining units were asked to take zero percent wage-increases (as proposed by Governor Christie), but this proposal was rejected.



Dan Xavier

[BrianSullivan]

DFX, Thank you for all the info today. That is impressive that the proposed tax increase is even lower. I think that shows that the BOE is working hard and keeping the tax payers in mind which is very important.

[BrianSullivan]

Apr 1, 2010 14:39:34 GMT -5 leelye said:

and no give backs of a lucrative contract either....If the Super wants to help the residents of the Borough, she should forgo her 3.5 percent raise this year on her over inflated salary !! Approved or not, "it's for the kids" right

Please don't forget this REGISTERED voter's when the BOROUGH asks you to approve a 4 percent increase in property taxes !!

just my opinion !!

freehold.injersey.com/2009/12/01/borough-school-board-oks-new-superintendent-contract/

Leelye,

Good to hear from you! I agree with you and I believe that ALL public employees should plan on no raises for the next year or two. It is a reflection of reality and better than losing more jobs, IMO.

[adefonzo]

Apr 1, 2010 15:02:05 GMT -5 dfx said:

Point of clarity:

The Board of Education demanded the school revisit the 4 percent property tax levy increase (originally proposed on 3/22) and it was reduced to 1.76 percent. There is no longer a 4 percent tax levy increase on the table for the April 20th vote.

That said the 3 bargaining units were asked to take zero percent wage-increases (as proposed by Governor Christie), but this proposal was rejected.



Dan Xavier

This proposal was rejected by the bargaining units? If so...what is the BOE prepared to do in order to hold fast to the idea of 0% wage increases?

Their rejection of the idea does not mean the BOE has to accept their rejection, especially in these times.

I have always believed that teachers are a very valuable commodity, but let's be honest...many of us did not get a raise last year, and many of us are not going to get a raise this year either. Why do the school employees somehow feel that they are entitled to a raise every year no matter what the economic climate?

And of course, it also has to be asked, what is the opinion of the bargaining units and the BOE on some form of a contribution towards benefits for the school's employees??

[BrianSullivan]

Apr 1, 2010 23:35:32 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

Apr 1, 2010 15:02:05 GMT -5 dfx said:

Point of clarity:

The Board of Education demanded the school revisit the 4 percent property tax levy increase (originally proposed on 3/22) and it was reduced to 1.76 percent. There is no longer a 4 percent tax levy increase on the table for the April 20th vote.

That said the 3 bargaining units were asked to take zero percent wage-increases (as proposed by Governor Christie), but this proposal was rejected.



Dan Xavier

This proposal was rejected by the bargaining units? If so...what is the BOE prepared to do in order to hold fast to the idea of 0% wage increases?

Their rejection of the idea does not mean the BOE has to accept their rejection, especially in these times.

I have always believed that teachers are a very valuable commodity, but let's be honest...many of us did not get a raise last year, and many of us are not going to get a raise this year either. Why do the school employees somehow feel that they are entitled to a raise every year no matter what the economic climate?

And of course, it also has to be asked, what is the opinion of the bargaining units and the BOE on some form of a contribution towards benefits for the school's employees??

I hope the BOE sticks to its guns too. IMO, all public employees in this state have to accept three things in any open contracts.

1. wage freeze for one to two years

2. contributions to health insurance coverage. The proposed 1.5 percent of salary is very reasonable.

3. Retirement age has got to be raised from 55 to 60

Here is the NT article

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-03-31/Schools/Freehold_Borough_board_teachers_work_on_new_deal.html

[dfx]

Apr 1, 2010 23:35:32 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

Apr 1, 2010 15:02:05 GMT -5 dfx said:

Point of clarity:

The Board of Education demanded the school revisit the 4 percent property tax levy increase (originally proposed on 3/22) and it was reduced to 1.76 percent. There is no longer a 4 percent tax levy increase on the table for the April 20th vote.

That said the 3 bargaining units were asked to take zero percent wage-increases (as proposed by Governor Christie), but this proposal was rejected.



Dan Xavier

This proposal was rejected by the bargaining units? If so...what is the BOE prepared to do in order to hold fast to the idea of 0% wage increases?

Their rejection of the idea does not mean the BOE has to accept their rejection, especially in these times.

I have always believed that teachers are a very valuable commodity, but let's be honest...many of us did not get a raise last year, and many of us are not going to get a raise this year either. Why do the school employees somehow feel that they are entitled to a raise every year no matter what the economic climate?

And of course, it also has to be asked, what is the opinion of the bargaining units and the BOE on some form of a contribution towards benefits for the school's employees??

Mr. Defonzo -

Unfortunately the BOE has little they can do besides simply ask the bargaining units to forgo a wage-increase at this point. While the Governor's plan is bold, right now he does not have the legislative backing to enforce a mandated zero percent wage-increase. (Hence why he only stated that we should "request" this.)

And as you are well aware, Freehold Borough is currently in the middle of contract negotiations with the NJEA. If the BOE were to forge ahead and budget a zero percent wage-increase without NJEA approval, there's a very real possibility the NJEA could bring the BOE to court with the complaint that we were not negotiating their new contract "in good faith" since a budget was already established at zero.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however I can assure you that several of us members of the board are working extremely hard at exploring every single avenue of savings.



dan xavier

[BrianSullivan]

Apr 2, 2010 13:11:50 GMT -5 dfx said:

Apr 1, 2010 23:35:32 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

This proposal was rejected by the bargaining units? If so...what is the BOE prepared to do in order to hold fast to the idea of 0% wage increases?

Their rejection of the idea does not mean the BOE has to accept their rejection, especially in these times.

I have always believed that teachers are a very valuable commodity, but let's be honest...many of us did not get a raise last year, and many of us are not going to get a raise this year either. Why do the school employees somehow feel that they are entitled to a raise every year no matter what the economic climate?

And of course, it also has to be asked, what is the opinion of the bargaining units and the BOE on some form of a contribution towards benefits for the school's employees??

Mr. Defonzo -

Unfortunately the BOE has little they can do besides simply ask the bargaining units to forgo a wage-increase at this point. While the Governor's plan is bold, right now he does not have the legislative backing to enforce a mandated zero percent wage-increase. (Hence why he only stated that we should "request" this.)

And as you are well aware, Freehold Borough is currently in the middle of contract negotiations with the NJEA. If the BOE were to forge ahead and budget a zero percent wage-increase without NJEA approval, there's a very real possibility the NJEA could bring the BOE to court with the complaint that we were not negotiating their new contract "in good faith" since a budget was already established at zero.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however I can assure you that several of us members of the board are working extremely hard at exploring every single avenue of savings.



dan xavier

Dan, The BOE is wise to not budget a zero increase. Negotiations are not as easy as people think. Then fact that you are in mediation tells that both sides are at an impasse. A mediator will likely give an answer based on what is happening elsewhere and is realistic. If both sides do not agree at that point, then that contract will drag on a bit more, I think to arbitration?

Your first line was interesting:

Unfortunately the BOE has little they can do besides simply ask the bargaining units to forgo a wage-increase at this point.

Remember, that works both ways, the bargaining unit cannot tell the BOE it has to give a raise either. The BOE could really be hard line and ask for salary cuts. ( not advocating that, just saying)