Eastern Camden County Regional School District approved the 2013–2014 school year budget, which includes a 2.7-cent tax rate increase, or $69 per year for the average assessed home in Voorhees.
Residents in Gibbsboro will see a decrease of $125 per year for the average assessed home of $157,300, and Berlin residents will see a $79 decrease for the year for an average assessed home of $236,400.
The average assessed home in Voorhees is $255,608.
According to Superintendent Harold Melleby, there is a 2 percent increase in the general fund following no increase for the past two years.
The total local tax levy is $23.1 million.
Voorhees residents contribute approximately $18.7 million while Berlin contributes $3.4 million and Gibbsboro $1.08 million.
Melleby said the reason for the differences in payment is due to the decrease in assessments for the municipalities and the change in municipal percentage shares calculated by the state.
“This budget allows us to maintain our current instructional and athletic programs as well as student activities and staffing,” Melleby said.
New positions have been added to the budget, including a business teacher, supervisor of teaching and learning, a crisis counselor/guidance counselor, additional security and two assistant coaches for the boys and girls cross country teams.
Melleby said new science textbooks are also in the budget, and the sports activity fee will remain the same at $150 per player with a maximum of $250 spent by one family.
Melleby said hiring more staff would help keep the high school more efficient.
“We are going to need some help in this capacity,” Melleby said, referring to hiring a teaching and instruction supervisor.
He said the new requirements involve 564 observations and post-observations, 354 more than required in the past.
Capital projects totaling $3.7 million are also included in the budget.
Renovations to the 9/10 building’s nurse’s office, a new roof on the 9/10 building and security are included in the plans.
Melleby said there is currently an armed Voorhees Township Police officer at the high school, but security improvements will not stop there.
He said there would be additional camera installations both inside and outside the school, the addition of a license scanning system for visitors as well as armed security personnel monitoring the entrance.
Melleby said because the nurse’s office is being renovated and consolidated, parents picking up students would be forced to use the intermediate high school entrance, which is closer to the security office.
The school district will also see a $34,251 increase in state aid.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. in room 203 of the administration offices located at 1202 Laurel Oak Road.
To view a copy of the budget and the presentation visit www.eccrsd.us.
