1. Roselle Park School District
Budget Workshop
March 7, 2012

2. Budget Timelines November 29 February 9 February 16 February 21
Finance Committee had first budget meeting
February 9
Finance Committee had second budget meeting
February 16
First public budget workshop, held at Aldene School
February 21
Governor’s State Budget Address
February 23
State Aide Figures Released
February 28
BOE Meeting; adopted tentative budget
March 5
Deadline to submit tentative budget to County Office
Wednesday, March 7
Second public budget workshop, held at the High School
Wednesday, March 14
Budget Review with Executive County Superintendent of Schools
Tuesday, March 20
BOE Meeting; Official ‘Public Hearing’ on budget
Thursday, March 22
Deadline for Executive County Superintendent to approve budget
Tuesday, March 27
BOE Meeting; adopt final budget

3. Process changes due to move of the election date from April to November
On Thursday, February 2, the Board of Education and Town Council approved resolutions to move the Board of Education election date from April to November
The election for BOE candidates will now coincide with municipal, state, and federal elections. BOE members will serve January-January instead April-April.
The Nov. vote will elect new BOE members, and approve spending above cap.
If the BOE budget request includes a tax levy increase of 2% or less (i.e. within cap), then the budget will not be up for a public vote.
If the Board requests a property tax levy increase of more than 2%, the excess amount over the 2% cap will be listed as a separate item on the ballot, and the public will vote on this portion of the tax levy increase.
For example consider this scenario:
The Board feels that a 2.5% increase in the property tax levy is in best interest of our students.
The first 2.0% of the increase is within cap, so this will not be on the ballot.
The additional 0.5% increase (above cap) will be a question on the ballot.
Note that if the additional request is voted down, the first 2% increase in the tax levy will remain; this is not up for public vote and is not affected by a No vote on the additional funds. For this example, it means only that the 0.5% increase would be voted down.

4. Process changes due to move of the election date from April to November
The Board must still set a budget in March, as we will do this year (now).
The Board must submit this budget to the County Superintendent for approval.
If the County does not approve, the BOE must work to revise the budget.
If the County does approve, AND:
The tax levy increase is 2% or less, then the approved budget takes effect from July (the school fiscal year runs July through June). IF
The tax levy increase includes a request to exceed the 2% cap, then the new fiscal year starting July must include spending at the 2% increase level, until the November election. If the amount of increase over 2% is approved by voters, then the higher budget takes effect after the election.
If the amount of increase over 2% is not approved by voters, then an alternative budget, with spending limited to a 2% increase, goes into effect.
The Board will still work with Administration to deliver a responsible spending plan to meet our students needs in the most efficient means possible.
The Board will continue to be open and seek public input (like this meeting!), even when we work within a tax levy increase of 2% or less (like this year!).

5. Estimated Revenue as of February 28, 2012
State aid was increased by $596k this year
We propose to carry as much funding as possible into 13/14 to try to avoid the need to make cuts (or raise taxes) next year

6. How Do We Plan to Use the Additional State Aid?
$ 31,365 - State Facility Tuition Charge (new placement)
8,829 - Additional Debt Service (new assessment)
46,500 - Must plug hole created by loss of tuition revenue
(student no longer coming to Roselle Park)
11,000 - Must plug hole created by loss of extraordinary aide (student receiving less qualifying services)
281,808 - Must plug hole created by deferring use of additional 1% state aid (moved to budget)
60,000 - Begin to fund Maintenance Reserve. Funds are allowed to accumulate; can only be used for maintenance-related items
50,000 - Provide additional materials to district libraries
66,092 - Purchase additional textbooks, K-12
20,000 - Increase Contracted Maintenance Services (repairs)
20,000 - Increased Special Education Related Services (OT, PT, Billingual Evaluations, etc.)
__________
$ 595,594

7. Estimated Expenditures as of February 28, 2012
Our approach, given the unpredictable State funding situation in recent years:
Avoid additional recurring costs, as we don’t want to possibly turn around and cut next year
Carry over some funding to 13/14, to help cushion inflationary increases next year
Spend this year on items like books and repairs/reserves, to better position us for future years

8. What costs are included in our Contracted Services/Repair category?
Significant costs to keep the buildings maintained
We’ve budgeted too little for this important category in recent years
Budget level for 12/13 is comparable to actual spend this year; we need to keep district facilities in good condition

9. QUESTIONS?? COMMENTS?? SUGGESTIONS??