Schools Superintendent Explains ‘Fiscally Responsible’ Budget

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jordan Schiff’s 2011-12 budget presentation tour continued Wednesday night at a meeting of the Community Partnership Network (CPN).

About 35 people gathered at Auten Road Intermediate School to hear a presentation on the $110 million school budget that is on the April 27 ballot and the opportunity to ask questions.

“It was a very difficult budget development process,” said Schiff. “We tried to keep the impact of those difficult decisions as far away from the kids as we possibly could. This is a fiscally responsible budget.”

“The community needs to support this budget for all of this to work. My critical concern about this election is apathy,” he admitted, pointing out that records show only 14% of the state’s registered voters cast their ballots in school board elections.

Several questions focused on technology, one of what Schiff described as the four cost drivers in the 2011-2012 budget. He cited adding projection units in all the schools and building a student information management system that would provide parents with additional access to information.

“It’s part of the furniture of the 21st century classroom,” he said.

He said it was more financially practical to take out a five-year loan to fund the projection units now while there are low interest rates rather than waiting and phasing in the project.

Several audience members felt there was a need to better explain the “need” for technology improvements to the public. Among the suggestions were a series of technology demonstrations and a demo on YouTube.

The other budget cost drivers were:

• Almost 20% in healthcare costs
• Capital improvements: “We have to begin to fund that early and to work on preventative, maintenance,” Schiff said.
• Curriculum and instruction

On the “good news” side, the superintendent noted that

“If the budget passes, there is no need to privatize,” he declared.

“This is very unique in public sector employment. It is a shared sacrifice of all members to save the jobs of their colleagues,” he explained. “This settlement controls the largest cost driver. Instead of paying healthcare costs, we’re now putting the money in the hands of the kids.”

The board is also investigating ways to generate revenue, including collecting tuition for a full-day kindergarten (slated to begin in the fall) and summer enrichment, adult school and “wrap-around” childcare programs.

“We are looking into setting up enterprises that have consistency with our mission. We are educators; we are not entrepreneurs. We need to attract that skill base to our organization,” he said.

Schiff also pointed out that, although the tax rate based on the proposed 2011-12 budget is down by $.58, residents’ actual taxes will vary based on the township’s recent reassessment.