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 Budget Statement of Priorities

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 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 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 Great Meadows Regional Revenue Distribution

6 Great Meadows Regional School District Expense Distribution

7 Great Meadows Regional School District Proposed General Fund Budget Variances Variance AuditedCurrentPRELIM SALARIES7,293,6486,702,4446,979,717277,273 TEXTBOOKS43, COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE48,00740,43825,000(15,438) AID IN LIEU PAYMENTS39,74149,39644,000(5,396) SCHOOL BUS LEASE16,41216,70016, 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 Current Expense 12,119,619 Debt Service 530,267 Total School Tax $ 12,649,886 Current Expense Tax increase $ 237, % Debt Service Tax Increase $ 35, % Tax is Apportioned to the Townships based on enrollment: Liberty % Independence % Great Meadows Regional School District 2012 Total Tax Levy

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

Liberty Tax Home valued in at $ 300,000Home valued in at $ 300,000 Taxes were $ 4, – tax rate of $1.6574Taxes were $ 4, – tax rate of $ Home still valued in at $ 300,000Home still valued in at $ 300,000 Taxes would be $5,079.30– tax rate of $1.6931Taxes would be $5,079.30– tax rate of $ A Tax increase of $ A Tax increase of $ Home valued in at $ 400,000Home valued in at $ 400,000 Taxes were $ 6, – tax rate of $1.6574Taxes were $ 6, – tax rate of $ Home still valued in at $ 400,000Home still valued in at $ 400,000 Taxes would be $6, – tax rate of $1.6931Taxes would be $6, – tax rate of $ A Tax increase of $ A Tax increase of $ **Exclusive of Debt Service

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

Independence Tax Home valued in at $ 300,000 Taxes were $ 3, – tax rate of Home still valued in at $ 300,000 Taxes would be $ 3, – tax rate of A Tax increase of $ Home valued in at $ 400,000 Taxes were $ 4,226.80– tax rate of Home still valued in at $ 400,000 Taxes would be $ 4, – tax rate of A Tax increase of $ **Exclusive of Debt Service

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

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

15 GMRSD SUMMARY Per Pupil Cost Comparisons: 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 Great Meadows Our District Schools