The Roselle Park School Board passed the temporary 2012-2013 school year budget during the February 28th BOE meeting. The amount to be raised by property taxes is the same figure as the 2011-2012 school district budget, thereby resulting in a $0 increase. There was no discussion of a tax decrease from the Board even with an additional $595,594 in state aid that was announced on February 23rd. Additionally, no specifics were offered with respect to how that 6.1% increase in revenue would be allocated other than for maintenance of buildings, textbooks, and library purchases.
Below is a table of the figures that were on the BOE meeting agenda handed out on February 28th.
| General Fund | Special Revenues | Debt Services | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 Expenditures | $29,159,737 | $831,636 | $700,636 | $30,692,009 |
| Anticipated Revenues | ($11,654,567) | ($831,636) | ($663) | ($12,486,866) |
| Taxes To Be Raised | $17,505,170 | $0 | $699,973 | $18,205,143 |
“I will say though that the general approach is we’re going to keep the property levy tax where it’s at, not increase, and put as much of that funding to use next year as we can so we can avoid an increase next year,” Board member and Finance Committee Chair Dr. Jeff Parrell stated.
Resident Jacob Magiera did formally ask if the Board would consider giving residents a $10 or even $5 reduction in their taxes with the extra funding. School Superintendent Patrick Spagnoletti stated that a tax decrease this school year might result in double the increase in the next year’s portion for taxpayers.
During the meeting, it was also stated that contract negotiations with the Roselle Park Education Association (RPEA) are still ongoing.
Dr. Parrell stated that residents would get more detail on how additional funding would be allocated at the March 7th budget presentation/public input session at the Roselle Park High School scheduled for 7 p.m. Residents would then be able to offer input on how to spend the funding and ask more questions regarding the budget.