Budget FAQs

Tomorrow is the school budget election day! I'd like to devote today’s blog to some frequently asked questions:

1. Does the budget include an increase in teachers’ salaries? No. Dennis Kelleher, Finance Committee Chair of the Haddonfield Board of Education has stated: “The district is currently negotiating a new contract for all faculty and support staff. It is important for you to know that no new dollars have been added to the salary lines for unionized employees. In addition, beginning July 1, 2010, all employees will pay 1.5% of their salary towards their health benefits.”

2. Has the Haddonfield school budget eliminated state mandated programs? No, even though Haddonfield Schools lost $1.5 million in aid, the programs mandated by the state are still in place. I’m hopeful that Governor Christie and Commissioner of Education Schundler will revise these mandates in the upcoming year. Many are costly and (in my opinion) do not address the core educational needs of Haddonfield’s children.

3. Are sports being taken away? Middle School Basketball has been eliminated, but our town offers a middle school-aged youth program which could be an alternative. Freshman sports have been eliminated because there will no longer be a 9th grade Colonial Conference to compete in. Freshman will hopefully have the option to continue in town sports programs through 9th grade, join the JV teams, or participate in newly created intramurals.

Just a few last things to remember...

This budget preserves the vast majority of classroom-related programs at all levels despite losing our state aid:

1. Saves $1.2 million via controlling costs
- Non-teacher staff reductions (senior administration, secretarial, clerks, grounds, maintenance)
- Few teacher reductions (1.75 PE teachers; 0.5 kindergarten teacher)
- Custodial services outsourcing
- Operations and energy reductions

2. Implements new revenue sources
- Teachers contribute 1.5% of salary toward benefits ($229,000)
- Fee for use of facilities by outside organizations
- Activity fee increase of $25

3. Preserves elementary and middle school teaching positions, as well as popular high school humanities courses

4. Increases tax levy 3.25% ($219.73 for average assessed home value of $491,359)

5. Decreases total cost per pupil by 1%, the first decline in recent years

Thanks to those of you who have been following along with this blog experiment. I have 25 "loyal followers" but have been happy to hear from others that you are also reading. Thanks, and I'm glad that this information has been helpful. Remember to vote YES tomorrow - every vote counts!