Seeks to clear up misinformation regarding school budget

As president of the East Brunswick Board of Education, I am writing to address recent comments made regarding the school district, many of which include facts that are either grossly misleading or altogether false. The board is committed to providing candid, open information to the public and community of East Brunswick.

As such, it is important for the following facts to be clarified or corrected.

• On April 2, 2009, the board adopted a final 2009-10 budget that reflects a zero tax increase and a debt-service reduction of 4.16 cents. This means a propertytax reduction related to the school district of $41.60 per $100,000 of assessed value. This is due in no small part to the agreement by the superintendent, all central office administrative staff and all members of the East Brunswick Principals and Supervisors Association to freeze their salary and not take a raise in 2009-10.

• The district learned last month that the state of New Jersey has promised $4,238,520 of school-construction aid toward the rebuilding of a new Memorial Elementary School. While the district awaits the results of its insurance

claim, the board has given consensus to have a bond-referendum

vote in September 2009. If, however, the state permits us to move the referendum date to June 2009, while keeping the promised $4,238,520 of aid, we will do so.

• The board does not spend an average of $22,700 per year for staff health benefits. The 2008-09 median per-employee cost of full health benefits is $14,797, which is below what has been referred to as the median health coverage in other school districts.

• According to state efficiency guidelines, the district should have a student-to-administrator ratio of 157.6-to-1. In East Brunswick, however, our studentto administrator ratio is 190.1-to- 1. Despite the fact that there are 32.5 more students to every one administrator than there ought to be under state guidelines, there are no new administrators or staff positions in the 2009-10 budget.

• The $50 and $15 fees charged for athletics and clubs, respectively, are budgeted to be applied in 2009-10 as follows. For athletics, of the $837,165 total budgeted athletics costs, the fees are projected to contribute $70,000 toward these costs. For clubs, of the $413,088 budgeted total costs, the fees are projected to contribute $95,000 toward these costs. When the fees were adopted beginning with the 2006- 07 budget, the amounts were determined to be the least onerous way to ensure that the district could maintain all its teams and clubs.

The school budget is a critical part of our children's education, and we do not want misinformation to hinder its chances of community approval.

During these challenging economic times and facing uncertain state aid on a year-by-year basis, the budget-development process is, indeed, a difficult one. The board is, nonetheless, committed to lessening our tax burden while ensuring that our children get the best education possible. If members of the community have any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro or any members of the board.
Todd Simmens
President
East Brunswick
Board of Education