The preliminary budget for the 2014–2015 school year was the hot topic at the March 19 Voorhees Board of Education meeting.
The board did not solidify numbers, but estimated taxes per Voorhees residence to increase from last year.
“There will be around a two-cent tax increase total,” assistant superintendent and business/board secretary Dr. Frank T. DeBerardinis said.
According to DeBerardinis’ calculations, the “two cents” added up to about $60 per year in increased taxes per average assessed residence. Generally speaking, DeBerardinis claimed taxes could, “go up about 1 percent from last year.”
By budgeting to a 2 percent cap and increasing taxes, the board estimated the total tentative budget to be $52,755,049. The board also motioned the transfer of $1.5 million in previously unused capital reserve to be used for debt services and projects happening during the upcoming school year.
Though the exact total was not specified, one project mentioned was the replacement of the HVAC system at Osage Elementary School. The lowest qualified bidder listed for completion of the project was Gaudelli Brothers, Inc.
The board estimated a total of $19,084.97 of budget funds being used for registration and travel-related expenses.
Other totals have not yet been solidified, but the board mentioned plans to start further digitalizing textbooks as a priority in the next few years.
“A transition from textbooks to digital … it’s just moving money from one account to another,” DeBerardinis said.
Board members seemed enthused by the idea of Voorhees students becoming even more expert when it comes to using technology.
“It’s really fun to see the transition from kids using textbooks to iPads,” DeBerardinis said.
As far as state funding was concerned, the board mentioned no state aid increases from last year.
“We’re on our own pretty much,” DeBerardinis said.
Parents are encouraged to attend the final budget hearing and the annual district reorganization meeting, which will occur on May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Voorhees Township Administration Building.
In other news:
- In the superintendent’s report, the last day of school was announced as June 27. It was also announced that June 26 will be an early dismissal day for all public schools.
- Alexis Bondy, a Temple University student, received approval to complete 150 hours of applied behavior analysis practicum experience in township schools, until the conclusion of the spring semester.
- Alexis Schmidt of Millersville University will provide substitute teaching services throughout the district until the end of the year, in exchange for 62 college credits and the standard pay rate of $80 for each full day of work.
- A motion to approve unpaid childbearing leave was granted to teacher Julie Lenthe, for the first marking period of the upcoming school year.
- Retirements for teachers Margie White, Barbara Hubbard, Mary Jane Bionelli, Eileen Rosetti, Lois Siebert and Christina Hoffman were approved.
