Commissioner of Education Reduces Defeated Budget by $2.65M

[Thomas Jennings Jr.]

I'm glad that Schundler saw that the FRHSD is one of the most fiscally responsible districts in the state and that cutting it's budget more would put the district below a funding level necessary for thorough and efficient education.

My only question is ...did he get permisson from his boss? Don't want another fiasco like there was with the "Race to the Top" funding.

Commissioner of Education Reduces Defeated Budget by $2.65M

On Monday, June 28, after a thorough review of the district’s defeated 2010-11 budget, New Jersey Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler determined that the proposed tax levy for the Freehold Regional High School District be reduced by a total of $2.65 million, and certified the general tax fund levy to be collected for the 2010-11 school year in the amount of $115,600,253.

In his letter to Acting Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Koegler, Mr. Schundler stated that after reviewing the district’s proposed school budget and tax levy for the school year 2010-11, he found that the budget reduction and subsequent $115,600,253 tax levy is, "in the Commissioner’s judgment…necessary to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education in your district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011."

At its public meeting June 28, the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the 2010-11 annual school budget with $2.65 million in reductions and the tax levy as set forth by Mr. Schundler.

Under the district’s original proposed budget, 78.5 positions were eliminated. With the $2.65 million budget reduction, an additional 74 positions were eliminated under the final staffing plan, bringing the total staff reductions to 152.5 positions. This represents 10.5 percent of the total workforce of the Freehold Regional High School District.

With the $2.65 million budget reduction, the additional budget cuts are as follows:

66 certificated staff (teachers, media specialists)
8 supervisory positions (7 academic supervisors, 1 administrative supervisor)
Bargaining unit concessions including the 1.5 percent contribution to health benefits, totaling $390,000
Deferment of capital equipment totaling $502,110 (athletic/custodial equipment, additional cameras, classroom technology)

[Pat Garaffa]

"With the $2.65 million budget reduction, the additional budget cuts are as follows:

66 certificated staff (teachers, media specialists)
8 supervisory positions (7 academic supervisors, 1 administrative supervisor)
Bargaining unit concessions including the 1.5 percent contribution to health benefits, totaling $390,000
Deferment of capital equipment totaling $502,110 (athletic/custodial equipment, additional cameras, classroom technology) "

I've heard the argument that Howell is unable to freeze salaries because the bubble recipients would be affected.   How convenient for everyone else.

1.5% of an average salary still only represents about 5% of the costs of the pan.  The taxpayers still pick up the tab for the other 95%.  But hey - it's a start. 

FRHSD doesn't subscibe to the bubble plan.  What would the impact have been to the FRHSD if a 1 year wage freeze took place?  How many less jobs?  How many less programs?  Any idea of the before or after numbers?     

[Thomas Jennings Jr.]

No idea pat.

That might be a question to bring up at a boe meeting.