The Ridgewood Board of Education adopted its $101.2 million budget, a plan that calls for an average school tax increase of $194.65.
MAY 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015, 10:13 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s $101.2 million budget last week, adopting a financial proposal that supports a new administrator hire, technology updates and curriculum enhancements.
The district’s spending plan will increase school taxes by $194.65 for the average Ridgewood home assessed at $690,662. The rise in taxes represents a total increase of 2.04 percent over last year’s bills, according to Alfredo Aguilar, the schools’ business administrator.
During a brief review of the budget on April 27, Aguilar highlighted the 13 new courses planned for the middle and high schools, completion of the 1:1 Chromebook initiative at the middle school level, and maintenance projects such as window replacements at George Washington Middle School and roadway repairs at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
He also noted various ways in which the district will attempt to curb spending, such as auditing school phone lines in an effort to convert to digital lines and cancel those that are not in use; installing additional solar panels to decrease energy expenses; and participating in a statewide consortium to purchase faster Internet access at a reduced cost.
Though some trustees said that the budget is not perfect, they agreed that it is a responsible plan that reflects the entire district and achieves the BOE’s goals.
“We have a sound budget, but we’re reminded of the challenges in front of us,” said BOE Vice President Vince Loncto, adding that the board’s responsibility is an “imperative to maintain the quality and reputation of the public schools” while “minimizing the impact on the taxpayers.”
https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/trustees-ok-final-figures-in-2015-16-budget-1.1325596
