1. NEPTUNE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Budget
Public Hearing
NEPTUNE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

2. 2014 – 2015 Budget Facts
The School Budget supports not only the elementary school, but tuition for high school students and out-of-district special education placements. Transportation is also budgeted for Vocational High School and Special Education Students.

3. 2014 – 2015 PROJ. ENROLLMENT N.C. Elementary School 407
High School Students 180
Mon Cty Vocational Schools 10
Special Need Placement 18
Charter School/St. Facility
Total Students
Charter 3, NHS 124, RBR 33

4. 2014 – 2015 Budget N.C. Elementary School
Maintains all current academic programs
Eliminates extra-curricular activities
Retains Integrated Preschool Program and Full Day Kindergarten
Average grade size is approx. 23.

5. 2014 –2015 Revenues to Equal the Appropriations
Revenues come from four sources:
Fund Balance $ 609,556
Tax Levy $5,566,358
State Aid $2,159,028
Miscellaneous revenues $ ,500
TOTAL $8,369,442

6. STATE AID
General State Aid was increased by 0.6% over last year. Over the last 10 years State Aid increased approximately $53,000 per year.
This year we were awarded $12,100 more than last year.
In addition, we will be applying for Extraordinary Aid and have anticipated receiving $120,000.

7. Revenue Comparison Total Revenues 2011-2012 $7,725,605
Increase $ 643,837

8. 2014 – 2015 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
Increased cost of Special Needs Students sent to Out of District Placements;
Significant increase in High School tuition due to the # of HS students and the rate per student
Increase in Student Related Services
Increase in Health Insurance
Decrease in Administrative Expenses

9. 2014 – 2015 Expenditures High School Costs
Tuition – Public Schools $2,371,605
- Tuition-Vocational HS ,000
Transportation ,000
Special Education Out of District
Tuition & Services $1,431,406
Transportation ,000
Total Out of District Expenses $4,094,011

10. 2011 – 2012 Expenditures High School Costs
Tuition – Public Schools $1,533,886
- Tuition-Vocational HS ,200
Transportation ,000
Special Education Out of District
Tuition & Services $1,145,010
Transportation ,000
Total Out of District Expenses $3,069,096

11. 2014 –2015 Expenditures
The Board has little control over 95% of the Budget:
Salaries ($2,611,900) and Benefits ($1,128,000) make up 45% of the budget;
Tuition and Transportation for students sent out of district make up 48% of the budget;
Utilities and Insurance account for almost 2%
Operational and Educational Expenses make up the remaining 5%

12. Comparative Budgeting
In the most recent report prepared by the NJ Dept. of Education, the Neptune City School District ranked as second lowest in the State for budgeted per pupil appropriations ($11,391.) for K-8 school districts.
The State average for all districts is $14,506.

13. 2014 Tax Rate
The tax levy increase (excluding debt service payments) over is $211,658.
Tax Levy for School Purposes was $5,354,700;
Tax Levy is $5,566,358.
Minimum Required Tax Levy per NJ Dept. of Education is $5,354,700.

14. Tax Levy CAP
For the school year, the State of NJ has imposed a 2% CAP with minor adjustments, on the allowable tax levy increase. This CAP imposes a maximum tax levy of $5,558,858.

15. Tax Rate - Calendar Year
Average Assessed Value of a Home in Neptune City is $210,000.
The total assessed valuation of the Borough decreased from $434,764,100 in 2013 to $432,338,868 in 2014.
The average homeowner will see a $ annual increase in the school tax (exclusive of the debt service portion previously voted on and approved)

16. How is the Tax Rate for School Purposes Calculated?
The Borough Tax Rate is set on a calendar year; the School District operates on a fiscal year-July 1st – June 30th.
The Tax Rate for 2014 is made up of:
School Year 2013/2014 General Fund Tax Levy and the Debt Service Tax divided by( the Borough’s Total Assessed Valuation divided by 100)
 2014 Tax Levy
Gen'l Fund
Debt Service
14-15 budget
5,566,358
535,261
Calendar Year 2014 Tax Rate
1.287
.124

17. Future Implications
Fund Balance - it is becoming highly unlikely that we can replenish the amount required by law to be anticipated as revenue to offset appropriations. The increase permitted in the tax levy will not be sufficient to offset the decrease in available fund balance in future budgets.

18. Questions???

19. Will the community have an opportunity to speak at the Public Hearing?
Yes, the public can ask questions prior to final adoption
Will all Art, Music and Spanish classes be removed from the curriculum?
No, students will still receive Art, Music and Spanish. Teachers of these subjects will have non-instructional time removed from their schedules.

20. Are after school activities being cut?
Yes, all “non-essential programs” have been cut from the budget in order to keep the instructional program consistent.
If the district receives more Federal funds than anticipated can we use that to reinstate extra-curricular programs?
No, Federal funding is expressly granted to provide services to special needs students.

21. How many students attend charter schools?
Currently two. Anticipate three in
How much is the tuition to Neptune HS and Red Bank Regional?
NHS $12, RBR $13,000
Why is the Fund Balance declining?
The mandate of the State of NJ is for a school district to utilize all fund balance in excess of 2% of appropriations or $250,000

22. Can we use more Fund Balance?
Yes, but that would cause the district to have a more serious budget problem in
Why is the budget causing issues?
The budget must be submitted balanced. Revenues must = Appropriations. Fund Balance accumulated from a prior year and anticipated in the current year is a revenue. The loss of Fund Balance cannot be made up by the allowable increase in tax levy.

23. Has “Pay-to-Play been considered for sports?
Yes, the cost to each player would be quite large. Almost 50% of our enrollment is considered “low income” and may not be able to afford the payment.
Why is the tax levy increasing by more than 2% if there is a “CAP”?
There are some allowable modifications such as adjustments for enrollment that we were eligible for and utilized.

24. Has the Board looked into grants?
Yes, we have applied for a few within the last couple years. We formed a consortium with our neighboring districts for a grant but were unsuccessful twice. We also have applied for a safety grant and just tonight approved the submission of another safety grant.

25. What does the future hold?
We can assure you that our efforts to see that the children of Neptune City are provided with a quality education will continue to be ongoing.

26. Thank you for coming to the 2014-2015 Public Budget Hearing
In accordance with the State Law, the budget is not required to be subject to a vote.
Voting for Board of Education members will take place at the regular general election in November.