School Budget Ready for Voting Day

The Haddonfield Board of Education held its public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year on March 24 in the high school library, but no residents spoke on the spending plan.

Superintendent Richard Perry reviewed the budget for an audience of primarily teachers, some parents and the press.

Perry noted that Andrew Hall, the borough administrator, works weekends and nights to prepare the budget. 

“I’d like to thank Mr. (Andrew) Hall and the very talented people on the finance committee, who I consider experts in finance for their work on this budget,”said Perry. “This budget maintains all programs and maintains all staff.”

The budget comes with a 2-percent increase to Haddonfield taxpayers, the maximum allowed under a new state-mandated cap.

This means residents with a home valued at the borough average of $491,000 will pay an additional $140 in school taxes annually. Homeowners with homes valued at the township average pay about $7,000 annually in school taxes with the current tax rate of $1.42 per $100 of assessed property value.

There was no comment from the public on the budget. High school Latin teacher Sharon Stokes thanked the board for acknowledging the Haddonfield Education Association’s request that team leader responsibilities that were eliminated not be referred to as administrative positions.

“The word ‘administrative’ means something very different in peoples’ minds,” she said, adding that the reduction of the role of student leaders “would not affect the great offerings that we give our students.”

The position was a function of teachers, who were compensated by a stipend. The function has been eliminated in the interest of saving positions.

All board members voted in favor of the budget. Approval or rejection now goes to borough voters on April 27, which is the first Wednesday following spring recess in the district. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day.

Board President Steve Weinstein touched on the importance of the community supporting the budget at the polls, even though the school board will have an uncontested race. Three current members are running for three spots.

“This is a year in which the candidates for election have no opposition, which often reduces voter turnout. It is going to be important to get people out to vote,” Weinstein warned. “If this budget passes on Election Day, that’s the budget.”

If the budget does not pass, said Weinstein, “It goes to the commissioners who have the opportunity to cut it.”