Our $62,000,000 school budget looks like this: 62% goes towards teacher salaries, and that expense is mandated by a negotiated contract with their unions, and as such is un-changeable. Benefits for teachers and other administration adds another 13% to this pile of un-changeable expenses, and after you add the 7% of the budget that goes towards debt service, that takes about 82% of our school budget off the table!
So what is left in the budget? Operations and Maintenance accounts for about 8% of the budget, and covers required expenses to keep our school s running and safe – not too much to trim here. Transportation accounts for about 6% of the budget, and nearly all of it is mandated by the state, so again it is not negotiable.
Administration accounts for an additional 3%, and since most of their activity is required to ensure our schools are operating in accordance with all regulations, nothing can really be cut from here either.
Last year, our budget had a number of Capital Improvements that amounted to just over $2,000,000. Regrettably, I’ll pull all of those costs.
I would not hire any new teachers to replace out-going staff, and would instead take the opportunity to revisit class sizes across the district, and staff only those positions absolutely required to meet state and federal requirements. This would mean some teachers would be re-deployed outside their current department for emergency assignments, and courses would be cut. Busing is next up – Hazardous Busing amounts to about $400,000, and when facing cuts of this size, it puts my position on Hazardous Busing to the test. I feel that busing is the responsibility of the School Board, and while I am tempted to take that $400,000 and eliminate it, I can’t – many families rely on busing, and our schools are not configured for a few hundred of parent drop-offs each day. Cutting Hazardous Busing creates too many risks.
So where are we? I’ve saved an estimated $2,000,000 by refusing all capital investment, and I’ve trimmed our teaching staff by as many positions as possible without laying off any teachers. If 13 teaching positions are cut across all 7 schools – that amounts to $1,000,000 in savings, figuring an average $75,000 per eliminated teacher, based on $62,000 in average base pay, plus estimated $13,000 in benefits that are saved per teacher. But at what cost?
We would have bigger class sizes, reduced choices and opportunities for our students across all grades, teachers teaching outside their area of expertise, and a physical plant that is at risk of serious failure during the coming year.
Cutting 5% out of the school budget, when over 80% of the annual budget is non-negotiable, means you really are being asked to cut 25% of the negotiable budget, let’s all hope this hypothetical never comes to pass, because the impact of this one year’s budget cut would be felt for years to come, to the continued detriment of all the students in our district.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
It Can't Happen Here...
The East Windsor Regional School District recently put through a set of budget questions to the voters that would put the fate of numerous school projects and initiatives (full-day Kindergarten, non-Mandated Busing, and additional teaching staff positions) directly in the hands of the voters. It could never happen here in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD).
Why do I say that? It's simple - East Windsor choose to put all the nice to have programs in supplemental budget questions and is relying on the voters to approve the spending of monies above what the state allows in it's 4% annual budget cap. But this could never happen here.
See, in our school district only a handful of voters turn out each year to vote on the school budget and any open board positions, and if just a few more voters are against the budget than for it, then the school board is left to juggle spending to somehow provide enough monies to provide a quality education to the students.
If the Hopewell Valley Regional School District put Primary Strings, After School Activities, Hazardous Busing, and Practical Arts classes in a separate budget question would enough parents show up to approve these programs?
When the participation levels in prior school board elections hover around 20% (or less), a vocal minority can overwhelm a passive majority easily. Our budget problems here in HVRSD will only get worse for the foreseeable future - there is no silver bullet to solve our problems. Simple budget caps solve NOTHING, in fact they punish our children with school budgets that grow at a rate lower than our actual expenses rise, putting a long-term squeeze on every district. The state needs to revamp the entire school funding process, and instead of handing out money based on the affluence of a district, should hand out monies to address particular needs (special needs children, school construction, and others) and turn-over the day-to-day funding of school operations to the districts. Now, there will always be districts that can't afford to provide an adequate education to their children based on their tax rolls, and it is reasonable for those districts to get additional monies from the state, but this current system has got to end.
Why do I say that? It's simple - East Windsor choose to put all the nice to have programs in supplemental budget questions and is relying on the voters to approve the spending of monies above what the state allows in it's 4% annual budget cap. But this could never happen here.
See, in our school district only a handful of voters turn out each year to vote on the school budget and any open board positions, and if just a few more voters are against the budget than for it, then the school board is left to juggle spending to somehow provide enough monies to provide a quality education to the students.
If the Hopewell Valley Regional School District put Primary Strings, After School Activities, Hazardous Busing, and Practical Arts classes in a separate budget question would enough parents show up to approve these programs?
When the participation levels in prior school board elections hover around 20% (or less), a vocal minority can overwhelm a passive majority easily. Our budget problems here in HVRSD will only get worse for the foreseeable future - there is no silver bullet to solve our problems. Simple budget caps solve NOTHING, in fact they punish our children with school budgets that grow at a rate lower than our actual expenses rise, putting a long-term squeeze on every district. The state needs to revamp the entire school funding process, and instead of handing out money based on the affluence of a district, should hand out monies to address particular needs (special needs children, school construction, and others) and turn-over the day-to-day funding of school operations to the districts. Now, there will always be districts that can't afford to provide an adequate education to their children based on their tax rolls, and it is reasonable for those districts to get additional monies from the state, but this current system has got to end.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Hopewell Borough
This is the Hopewell Borough example, again, the family will remain constant, except there will beno Busing Fee, since Hopewell Borough is outside the Hazardous Busing region for both the middle school and the high school:
Valuation of home: $452,312 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Mandated Busing region
So, lets look at Hopewell Borough:
2006 Taxes paid: $4,790
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $4,790
2007 Taxes (est.): $5,066 ($276 increase, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $0 (0% increase, outside Hazardous Busing region)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $5,216 (8.9% increase)
An 8.9% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services it funds essential.
Valuation of home: $452,312 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Mandated Busing region
So, lets look at Hopewell Borough:
2006 Taxes paid: $4,790
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $4,790
2007 Taxes (est.): $5,066 ($276 increase, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $0 (0% increase, outside Hazardous Busing region)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $5,216 (8.9% increase)
An 8.9% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services it funds essential.
Hopewell Township
This is the Hopewell Township example, it was preceeded by the Pennington Example, and will be followed by the Hopewell Borough example. In each example, the family will remain constant:
Valuation of home: $549,400 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Hazardous Busing region
So, lets look at Hopewell Township:
2006 Taxes paid: $6,188
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $6,188
2007 Taxes (est.): $6,153 ($35 decrease, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $300 (100% increase)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $6,603 (6.7% increase)
A 6.7% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Busing and Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services they fund essential.
Valuation of home: $549,400 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Hazardous Busing region
So, lets look at Hopewell Township:
2006 Taxes paid: $6,188
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $6,188
2007 Taxes (est.): $6,153 ($35 decrease, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $300 (100% increase)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $6,603 (6.7% increase)
A 6.7% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Busing and Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services they fund essential.
Pennington Example
I wanted to examine three identical families in the three municipalities, and consider how the proposed tax increase, Activity Fee, and Busing Fee will impact their annual tax bill.
This is the Pennington Borough example, it will be followed by Hopewell Borough and then Hopewell Township. In each example, the family will remain constant:
Valuation of home: $527,000 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Hazardous Busing region
So, lets look at Pennington Borough:
2006 Taxes paid: $5,713
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $5,713
2007 Taxes (est.): $5,797 ($84 increase, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $300 (100% increase)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $6,247 (9.2% increase)
A 9.2% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Busing and Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services they fund essential.
This is the Pennington Borough example, it will be followed by Hopewell Borough and then Hopewell Township. In each example, the family will remain constant:
Valuation of home: $527,000 (Avg. Assessment)
Number of students: 2, one in middle school, other in high school
Location: Inside the Hazardous Busing region
So, lets look at Pennington Borough:
2006 Taxes paid: $5,713
2006 Activities Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Busing Fees: $0 (included in 2006 taxes)
2006 Total Taxes & Fees: $5,713
2007 Taxes (est.): $5,797 ($84 increase, both proposals approved)
2007 Activities Fees: $150 (100% increase)
2007 Busing Fees: $300 (100% increase)
2007 Total Taxes & Fees (est.): $6,247 (9.2% increase)
A 9.2% increase in out-of-pocket costs for a family with two students seems quite high for the same level of services. Of course, the Busing and Activity Fees are optional, but many consider the services they fund essential.
Per Student?
In an article in today's Times, there was an article on West Windsor-Plainsboro school district to adjust the formula used to calculate the proportion owed by each municipality to a per-student basis. Is that something we should consider in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District?
I've not been able to come up with accurate numbers on the number of students from Pennington, Hopewell, or Hopewell Township, but if we work backwards we can see how the total number of students multiplied by each municipalities share of the annual school budget to show some interesting numbers.
There are expected to be 4,086 students enrolled in HVRSD next school year, and the municipal portions break down as follows:
Hopewell Borough: 6.83%, or 279 students
Pennington Borough: 9.52%, or 389 students
Hopewell Township: 83.65%, or 3,418 students
I wonder if the above backwards calculations map to the actual ratio of the number of students in the school district from each municipality?
Of the three municipalities, Hopewell Township is certainly the largest contributor of students to the school district, and it also has the greatest potential for adding more students to the school rolls, with Pennington and Hopewell Boroughs being, essentially, built out.
Is this something the taxpayers of HVRSD want to consider, I don't know, but I think it is interesting question...
Your thoughts? Also, if anyone can point me to accurate percentages of students from each municipality I'd really appreciate it.
I've not been able to come up with accurate numbers on the number of students from Pennington, Hopewell, or Hopewell Township, but if we work backwards we can see how the total number of students multiplied by each municipalities share of the annual school budget to show some interesting numbers.
There are expected to be 4,086 students enrolled in HVRSD next school year, and the municipal portions break down as follows:
Hopewell Borough: 6.83%, or 279 students
Pennington Borough: 9.52%, or 389 students
Hopewell Township: 83.65%, or 3,418 students
I wonder if the above backwards calculations map to the actual ratio of the number of students in the school district from each municipality?
Of the three municipalities, Hopewell Township is certainly the largest contributor of students to the school district, and it also has the greatest potential for adding more students to the school rolls, with Pennington and Hopewell Boroughs being, essentially, built out.
Is this something the taxpayers of HVRSD want to consider, I don't know, but I think it is interesting question...
Your thoughts? Also, if anyone can point me to accurate percentages of students from each municipality I'd really appreciate it.
Penultimate 2007-2008 Budget Presentation
This week I’d like to discuss the proposed 2007-2008 budget, as presented by the School Board Friday to municipal representatives and the general public. The budget as presented is not final, but it is a good indication of what will ultimately be sent to the voters on April 17th, 2007 for approval.
In general, I like the budget – I may have issues with elements within the budget, but the reality is nothing will be ADDED to the budget if it is voted down on April 17th.
Do I wish we could retain the auto shop class as an in district offering? Sure I do, but the heart of that program was the instructor – he is the driving force behind every endorsement from parents. The reality is, he is retiring and the program will change. Voting down the budget won’t bring him out of retirement.
Do I wish we could retain Primary Strings for grades 1 through 3? Absolutely – without this class, how many children would be exposed to music in such a hands-on way? The trend across the nation is to cut music offerings to increase “core curriculum” education – here in the Hopewell Valley, that is one trend I am pleased we have rejected. Keeping Primary Strings in the first grade is a reasonable compromise – it offers the exposure to music that is so important. Voting down the budget won’t bring back Primary strings in grades 2 and 3.
Do I wish Hazardous Busing was fully funded in next year’s budget? Absolutely – but keeping busing for students in grades K through 5 in the budget is a great start. In addition, the reduction of the requested parental payment from an estimated $500/student per year to a reduced estimate of $150/student per year is a welcome improvement. Voting down the budget won’t get Hazardous Busing for all students currently served back next year.
With this latest budget presentation, we have some real numbers for the Activity Fee and Busing Fee for those that wish to avail themselves of those services will have to pay: The one-time annual Activity Fee is $50 for grades 6 through 8, $100 for grades 9 through 12, with a per family cap of $200/year. The Busing Fee, is as an annual fee of $150 year per student, with no per-family cap.
For a family living in a house assessed at the township or borough average, with two children in the school system (one in the middle school, one in the high school), but requiring Hazardous Busing ($300 family total) and participating in activities ($150 family total) face total out of pocket school expense increase of nearly 10% in Hopewell and Pennington Borough, and around 8% in Hopewell Township. My example family from Hopewell Borough would see a greater increase, but all students in grades 6 through 12 in Hopewell Borough qualify for Mandated busing. The fees are optional, but the services they fund are considered by many parents to be essential.
I invite you to discuss these, or any other concerns about our school district on my blog, at http://hansen2007.blogspot.com/.
Ken Hansen
Hopewell Township
In general, I like the budget – I may have issues with elements within the budget, but the reality is nothing will be ADDED to the budget if it is voted down on April 17th.
Do I wish we could retain the auto shop class as an in district offering? Sure I do, but the heart of that program was the instructor – he is the driving force behind every endorsement from parents. The reality is, he is retiring and the program will change. Voting down the budget won’t bring him out of retirement.
Do I wish we could retain Primary Strings for grades 1 through 3? Absolutely – without this class, how many children would be exposed to music in such a hands-on way? The trend across the nation is to cut music offerings to increase “core curriculum” education – here in the Hopewell Valley, that is one trend I am pleased we have rejected. Keeping Primary Strings in the first grade is a reasonable compromise – it offers the exposure to music that is so important. Voting down the budget won’t bring back Primary strings in grades 2 and 3.
Do I wish Hazardous Busing was fully funded in next year’s budget? Absolutely – but keeping busing for students in grades K through 5 in the budget is a great start. In addition, the reduction of the requested parental payment from an estimated $500/student per year to a reduced estimate of $150/student per year is a welcome improvement. Voting down the budget won’t get Hazardous Busing for all students currently served back next year.
With this latest budget presentation, we have some real numbers for the Activity Fee and Busing Fee for those that wish to avail themselves of those services will have to pay: The one-time annual Activity Fee is $50 for grades 6 through 8, $100 for grades 9 through 12, with a per family cap of $200/year. The Busing Fee, is as an annual fee of $150 year per student, with no per-family cap.
For a family living in a house assessed at the township or borough average, with two children in the school system (one in the middle school, one in the high school), but requiring Hazardous Busing ($300 family total) and participating in activities ($150 family total) face total out of pocket school expense increase of nearly 10% in Hopewell and Pennington Borough, and around 8% in Hopewell Township. My example family from Hopewell Borough would see a greater increase, but all students in grades 6 through 12 in Hopewell Borough qualify for Mandated busing. The fees are optional, but the services they fund are considered by many parents to be essential.
I invite you to discuss these, or any other concerns about our school district on my blog, at http://hansen2007.blogspot.com/.
Ken Hansen
Hopewell Township
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