School Officials Tout Budget's Features

Even though the fate of Hillsborough school district's tentative budget isn't dependent on voter approval anymore, Superintendent Jorden Schiff can still be found meeting with residents, school groups—just about anyone interested.

In previous years, this would be expected since uninformed voters may not approve the budget or feel compelled to vote at all. This time, there won't be a vote, except for a board of education vote following the public hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Auten Road Intermediate School.

"Although you are not directly involved in the budget process, you are indirectly involved," Dr. Schiff told members of Triangle School's HSA Wednesday night, after a 30-minute presentation on the budget. He added the HSA members and other residents elect the board members now, affecting the budget in a less-direct way.

But he still feels it's important for residents to understand the budget and what it means for Hillsborough students. During his presentation, he noted the budget is below the state-mandated 2 percent tax levy increase cap (by $425,000) but still improves the districts educational mandate—thanks almost entirely due to savings in transportation costs ( which drop from $7,184,890 to $6,637,540, although additional savings is expected).

The district's state aid is essentially flat this year, Dr. Schiff noted during an interview on Monday, but with increases in health insurance and utilities, that squeezes funds needed for maintenance and staff.

To reduce the impact of health care costs, the district switched plans—because of Hillsborough's low claims rate, the district could get better rates outside of the larger state plan. Despite the change, the district is budgeting for a 17 percent increase with the expectation the district will save later in the year (to $18,511,994).

"At the end of the day, they don't know how we're going to end the year. We could go higher or we could go lower," Business Administrator Aiman Mahmoud said. "But this is kind of what our broker gave us and told us was a good starting number." 

The district is addressing utility costs through several efforts, including new control systems at Hillsborough High School, implementing an energy savings plan, and possible solar system installations.  

To meet the district's technology goals, another step in the "1-to-1" program, which will ultimately assure each student has access to a tablet computer or Chromebook, will be taken. Currently, the about 10 percent of the district's students have the equipment, but Dr. Schiff said the budget included funding to double the number to 20 percent.

"We see the benefits of technology as going beyond the Internet," he said, noting students are using the equipment to do independent study of favorite topics, collaborate with other students and create reports and projects unimaginable a few years ago.  

Staffing in the district will grow with the addition of two full-time employees (one for the transportation department; one for curriculum), the conversion of one half-time in the athletic department to a full-time post, and two instructional aides' positions increasing from 60 percent of full time to full time.

Overall, the budget includes $70.4 million for salaries for the more than 900 district employees.

The budget increases bilingual instruction, expanding Chinese language classes at Auten Road Intermediate School and Hillsborough High.  

The district budgeted about 25 percent less federal aid than was received last year because of the federal spending sequestration law, but Dr. Schiff noted the budget always projects less than actual receipts. 

"We usually budget 15 percent less than we received the prior year," he said, adding additional funding is added when received during the course of the school year.

The budget could also gain revenue with tuition-paying students coming into the district for special education or other programs, but Mahmoud noted any revenue will not be added until a student has been contractually committed to attending, which isn't done until later in the year.

The total amount to be raised in property taxes is $79,952,811, an increase of $1,151,036, or 1.46 percent. The increase will add $53 to the annual property tax bill of Hillsborough residents with property assessed at the township average of $368,700—but due to a decrease in assessments in Millstone, residents there will see an increase of $117 ( on properties assessed at $320,748).

Once approved by the county executive superintendent, a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget will posted on the district's website. 

Changes could be made to the budget prior to final adoption on March 21, also.