1. 1 The Great Meadows Regional School District has a history of providing a quality education at a cost significantly below comparable school districts. The district strives to continue to offer successful programs within the means of the proposed budget. Great Meadows Regional School District 2011-12 Budget Statement of Priorities

2. 2 Exceptional Educational Programs QSAC Monitoring- All Categories 80% or Better – A High Functioning, Exceptional District Record of Exceptional Standardized Test Scores Offers Programs that Enhance a variety of talents: -Gifted and Talented Academics, Arts -Student Leadership: Student Council, TV Studio, Participants in National Young Junior Leadership Conference -Performing Arts: Hackettstown High School PROMINENTLY feature performers from Great Meadows -Comprehensive Music Programs -Authentic-Enhanced Learning: Elementary School Gardens (The Liberty School butterfly garden - certified National Wildlife Federation School Yard Habitat Site, NJ Wild School Yard Habitat, and an official Monarch Way Station), Class Trips Focused Around Classroom Learning, Business-Partnerships (Watershed Ambassadors, Fire Safety and Wildlife speakers)

3. 3 Curriculum - Use of Multiple Computer Resources for Instruction and Assessment -Expand 21 st Century Classrooms: SMARTBOARDs and ELMO document cameras in all buildings Participation in Learnia Web-Based Assessment Grades 3-8 Mobile Computing Updated Curriculum Use of PLC Model (Professional Learning Communities) to enhance staff participation and engagement

4. 4 Professional Development Initiatives Support Professional Learning Communities Seek Teacher Leaders for In-District Professional Development – PLC Team Leaders Continue Differentiated Professional Development Opportunities – Technology Expand OnCourse Lesson Planner and Grade Book – include teacher websites Expand and Re-Design District Website for User Friendliness

5. 5 Great Meadows Regional Revenue Distribution

6. 6 Great Meadows Regional School District Expense Distribution

7. 7 Great Meadows Regional School District Proposed General Fund Budget Variances 2009-20102010-20112011-2012Variance AuditedCurrentPRELIM SALARIES7,293,6486,702,4446,979,717277,273 TEXTBOOKS43,607000 COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE48,00740,43825,000(15,438) AID IN LIEU PAYMENTS39,74149,39644,000(5,396) SCHOOL BUS LEASE16,41216,70016,867167 INSURANCE52,76050,40052,4002,000 ENERGY (HEAT & ELECTRIC)292,737318,346330,47812,132 TUITIONS6,217,1576,842,5186,800,593(41,925) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS2,383,8862,328,3202,058,272(270,048) PURCHASED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES1,390,4161,495,7881,334,854(160,934) GENERAL SUPPLIES269,518187,822186,634(1,188) OTHER OBJECTS/MISC EXPENSES30,91130,06826,500(3,569) EQUIP. CAPITAL OUTLAY32,52992,3701,682(90,688) CHARTER SCHOOLS90,000140,250151,12510,875 (286,739)

8. 8 Current Expense 12,119,619 Debt Service 530,267 Total School Tax $ 12,649,886 Current Expense Tax increase $ 237,640 2.0% Debt Service Tax Increase $ 35,052 7.0% Tax is Apportioned to the Townships based on enrollment: Liberty 38.1231672% Independence 61.8768328% Great Meadows Regional School District 2012 Total Tax Levy

9. 9 Property Tax Bill = Rate x Valuation/100 Current Expense 4,620,382.62 Debt Service 202,154.58 Liberty Tax 4,822,537.20 = $ 1.7672 x $272,890,715 /100 Current Expense Tax Increase $ 107,200 Debt Service Tax Increase $ 14,055.00 Great Meadows Regional School District 2012 Liberty Tax Rate 38.1231672 % of total

10. 10 2012 Liberty Tax Home valued in 10-11 at $ 300,000Home valued in 10-11 at $ 300,000 Taxes were $ 4,972.20 – tax rate of $1.6574Taxes were $ 4,972.20 – tax rate of $1.6574 Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 300,000Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 300,000 Taxes would be $5,079.30– tax rate of $1.6931Taxes would be $5,079.30– tax rate of $1.6931 A Tax increase of $ 107.10A Tax increase of $ 107.10 Home valued in 10-11 at $ 400,000Home valued in 10-11 at $ 400,000 Taxes were $ 6,629.60 – tax rate of $1.6574Taxes were $ 6,629.60 – tax rate of $1.6574 Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 400,000Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 400,000 Taxes would be $6,772.40 – tax rate of $1.6931Taxes would be $6,772.40 – tax rate of $1.6931 A Tax increase of $ 142.80A Tax increase of $ 142.80 **Exclusive of Debt Service

11. 11 Property Tax Bill = Rate x Valuation/100 Current Expense 7,499,236.38 Debt Service 328,112.42 Ind. Tax 7,827,348.80= 1.1224 x $ 697,400,147/100 Current Expense Tax increase $ 130,440.00 Debt Service Tax Increase $ 20,997.00 Great Meadows Regional School District 2012 Independence Tax Rate 61.8768328 % 0f total

12. 12 2012 Independence Tax Home valued in 10-11 at $ 300,000 Taxes were $ 3,170.10 – tax rate of 1.0567 Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 300,000 Taxes would be $ 3,225.90 – tax rate of 1.0753 A Tax increase of $ 55.80 Home valued in 10-11 at $ 400,000 Taxes were $ 4,226.80– tax rate of 1.0567 Home still valued in 11-12 at $ 400,000 Taxes would be $ 4,301.20 – tax rate of 1.0753 A Tax increase of $ 74.40 **Exclusive of Debt Service

13. 13 Great Meadows Regional School District ASSESSED VALUE (Net Tax Valuation) Liberty Tax Rate 2011 - $1.657 / $100 2012 - $1.693 / $100 Liberty’s Assessed Value is approx 83 % of Equalized (Market) Value. Independence Tax Rate 2011 - $1.056 /$100 2012 - $1.075/$100 Independence’s Assessed Value is approx 99% of Equalized (Market) Value. Excludes Debt Service

14. 14 Great Meadows Regional School District EQUALIZED VALUE Liberty Tax Rate 2011 - $1.3116/ $100 $ 329,057,861 2012 - $1.4041/ $100 Independence Tax Rate 2011 - $1.0417 /$100 $ 678,715,574 2012 - $1.1049 /$100 Using Equalized Value – There is a $0.30/$100 difference between the two townships. Excludes Debt Service

15. 15 GMRSD SUMMARY Per Pupil Cost Comparisons: 2009-10 Actual (latest Audited Figures) Chester Township13,197 State Median K-8 13,097 State Average12,811 Lopatcong12,344 Clinton Township12,273 GMRSD 11,631 From The NJ DOE Comparative Spending Guide.

16. 16 Great Meadows Our District Schools