This evening, the Township Committee voted 3-1 to cut the HTS budget by $229,306 resulting in an adjusted total tax levy amount of $8,562,491. These reductions are in addition to the previous cuts made by the Board of Education. The Township Committee recommended the following:
Custodial, Administrative and Support Staff Salary Freeze
1.5% contribution of salary for healthcare from teachers association
Freeze of coaching salaries
Social Security Payment Reductions
Reduction in Unemployment contributions
AIP supplies – Hold to 2009-10 school year
Library supplies - Hold to 2009-10 school year
Extra-Curricular Activities/Sports – Hold to 2009-10 school year
Reduction of Secretarial Staff (specific recommendation is still unclear)
Reduction of Business Administrator Hours
Reduced salary of Principal replacement
Reduction of funds set aside for emergencies
The Board of Education can either accept the adjusted tax levy or file an appeal with Commissioner of Education. The Board of Education is not required to impose the specific recommendations listed above but must reduce the budget by the amount specified in the adjusted tax levy.
President Novotny and I would like to thank everyone for their continued support during this difficult time. The Board of Education will be meeting to discuss the implications of the recommendations in the near future.
8 comments:
Thank you to Dr. Purnell, the HTS teaching/admin staff and the School Board for everything you did and continue to do.
These past weeks have been quite a hectic ride for the entire school community. Your incredible efforts with the budget are truly appreciated.
It is a travesty the budget didn't pass in the first place and that our current Town Council is so short sighted that they chose to save a mere $51.00 per million tax over our children's education.
There are many in this town who appreciate the contributions you all make every day and wanted you to have all the tools possible to make even more.
The BOE, Miss Klikier, teachers and parent/community participation at Tues. meeting was remarkable. I really thought the Township Committee "would get it" but I guess not. I am sorry that the HTS community is going through such difficult times. EVERYONE at school is making sacrafices for the betterment of our children and I thank you for that.
this setback WILL make us a stronger and more cohesive school family.
Lisa Burke
So disappointed by the town council.
What a perfect Einstein quote at the top of this thread. Great choice.
Thank you for keeping everybody in the loop of (raunchy) news but we need to know - regardless - and it's good that you take the time to post and go to this level of effort to keep us informed. The town council does not understand anything that happens in the school or they would have made a different decision.
I sincerely hope you do not cut teachers. I would prefer to pay for sports and forego the play for example. A lot of things can be privately funded.
Oh how I wish we could have a "Ground Hog Day" and re-do that vote. None of this would have happened.
What happens next Dr. Purnell?
I was not able to attend the board meeting last night. Can you fill us in on what transpired?
Thanks.
Thank you for your posts/feedback. Last night, the Board of Education voted to pass the school budget at the adjusted total tax levy amount of $8,562,491. I discussed some of the concerns with the Township Committee's recommendations. We will continue to collect input until our June 7, 2010 BOE meeting. We hope to present our resolutions at that meeting.
Today is June 6th and there was a Board of Ed meeting, right? What happened please? Were there any personnel cuts? Program cuts?
I will set up a new posting regarding the district's budget recommendations.
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