Roselle Park School District

1. Roselle ParkSchool District 2012-2013 Budget Workshop March 7, 2012

2. Budget Timelines • November 29 • Finance Committee had first budget meeting • February 9 • Finance Committee had second budget meeting • February 16 • First public budget workshop, held at Aldene School • February21 • Governor’s State Budget Address • February23 • State Aide Figures Released • February 28 • BOE Meeting; adopted tentative budget • March 5 • Deadline to submit tentative budget to County Office • Wednesday, March 7 • Second public budget workshop, held at the High School • Wednesday, March14 • Budget Review with Executive County Superintendent of Schools • Tuesday, March 20 • BOE Meeting; Official ‘Public Hearing’ on budget • Thursday, March 22 • Deadline for Executive County Superintendent to approve budget • Tuesday, March 27 • BOE Meeting; adopt final budget

3. Process changes due to move of the election date from April to November • On Thursday, February 2, the Board of Education and Town Council approved resolutions to move the Board of Education election date from April to November • The election for BOE candidates will now coincide with municipal, state, and federal elections. BOE members will serve January-January instead April-April. • The Nov. vote will elect new BOE members, and approve spending above cap. • If the BOE budget request includes a tax levy increase of 2% or less (i.e. within cap), then the budget will not be up for a public vote. • If the Board requests a property tax levy increase of more than 2%, the excess amount over the 2% cap will be listed as a separate item on the ballot, and the public will vote on this portion of the tax levy increase. • For example consider this scenario: • The Board feels that a 2.5% increase in the property tax levy is in best interest of our students. • The first 2.0% of the increase is within cap, so this will not be on the ballot. • The additional 0.5% increase (above cap) will be a question on the ballot. • Note that if the additional request is voted down, the first 2% increase in the tax levy will remain; this is not up for public vote and is not affected by a No vote on the additional funds. For this example, it means only that the 0.5% increase would be voted down.

4. Process changes due to move of the election date from April to November • The Board must still set a budget in March, as we will do this year (now). • The Board must submit this budget to the County Superintendent for approval. • If the County does not approve, the BOE must work to revise the budget. • If the County does approve, AND: • The tax levy increase is 2% or less, then the approved budget takes effect from July (the school fiscal year runs July through June). IF • The tax levy increase includes a request to exceed the 2% cap, then the new fiscal year starting July must include spending at the 2% increase level, until the November election. If the amount of increase over 2% is approved by voters, then the higher budget takes effect after the election. • If the amount of increase over 2% is not approved by voters, then an alternative budget, with spending limited to a 2% increase, goes into effect. • The Board will still work with Administration to deliver a responsible spending plan to meet our students needs in the most efficient means possible. • The Board will continue to be open and seek public input (like this meeting!), even when we work within a tax levy increase of 2% or less (like this year!).

5. Estimated Revenueas of February 28, 2012 • State aid was increased by $596k this year • We propose to carry as much funding as possible into 13/14 to try to avoid the need to make cuts (or raise taxes) next year

6. How Do We Plan to Use the Additional State Aid? $ 31,365 - State Facility Tuition Charge (new placement) 8,829 - Additional Debt Service (new assessment) 46,500 - Must plug hole created by loss of tuition revenue (student no longer coming to Roselle Park) 11,000 - Must plug hole created by loss of extraordinary aide (student receiving less qualifying services) 281,808 - Must plug hole created by deferring use of additional 1% state aid (moved to 2013-14 budget) 60,000 - Begin to fund Maintenance Reserve. Funds are allowed to accumulate; can only be used for maintenance-related items 50,000 - Provide additional materials to district libraries 66,092 - Purchase additional textbooks, K-12 20,000 - Increase Contracted Maintenance Services (repairs) 20,000 - Increased Special Education Related Services (OT, PT, Billingual Evaluations, etc.) __________ $ 595,594

7. Estimated Expendituresas of February 28, 2012 • Our approach, given the unpredictable State funding situation in recent years: • Avoid additional recurring costs, as we don’t want to possibly turn around and cut next year • Carry over some funding to 13/14, to help cushion inflationary increases next year • Spend this year on items like books and repairs/reserves, to better position us for future years

8. What costs are included in our Contracted Services/Repair category? • Significant costs to keep the buildings maintained • We’ve budgeted too little for this important category in recent years • Budget level for 12/13 is comparable to actual spend this year; we need to keep district facilities in good condition

9. QUESTIONS??COMMENTS??SUGGESTIONS??