At its most recent public session, Haddonfield’s board of education approved a preliminary budget for the 2020-’21 academic year.
The budget, which will be submitted to the Camden County Office of Education, is in line to include $43,494,072 in the General Fund, and more than $37.4 million of that total in the Local Tax Levy. Also included will be nearly $700,000 in a Special Revenue Fund and just under $3.7 million in the Debt Service Fund, for an expected total budget of $47,889,874.
Borough residents can expect an increase of 2 percent in taxes over the current academic year.
“The reason we have this meeting now, is because we have to file the budget with the county by March 20 to give us time,” said Board Secretary Michael Catalano. “Approving this the day before is not enough time in case we need to adjust it.
“We nurture, we inspire, we empower,” he added. “That’s our mission statement, and this budget 100 percent supports that mission statement.”
The presumptive budget also includes the use of Capital Reserve Funds in the amount of $2.8 million to pay for maintenance projects, including the C-Wing air-handling unit in the Haddonfield Memorial High School addition, as well as security cameras. The board also established a maximum of $100,000 in a general fund for travel and travel-related expenditures.
The finalized budget is expected to be presented at the board’s April 30 public session, per Catalano. The full presentation made by Catalano can be found at: https://haddonfieldschools.org/announcements-and-news-releases/.
In other news:
- The board unanimously approved the closure of district schools on Monday, March 16, for a Professional Development Day to prepare teachers, staff and administrators in the event the spread of coronavirus necessitates a prolonged closure.
- Commendations were issued to Haddonfield Memorial High School students for their respective performances in the Levels III and IV AATG National German Exam. Jacob Barrett, Josie Foust, Lisa Edmonston and Olivia Stoner won the gold medal. Silver medals were issued to James Duncan, Mia Gagliardi, Shaelin McKenna, Keelyn Shim, John Eyles, Scott Vaughn and Nina Tan. Paul Bertorelli, Alexis Hochgertel, Courtenay Mackey, John Hurly, Robert Hahn, Oliver Janssen, Tobia Janssen and Leonardo Verges Oceguera won bronze medals. Sixteen other HMHS students received Achievement Awards for their performances on the exam.
