Though it was only the first of many budget talks, budgeting was the highlighted topic at the Haddonfield Board of Education meeting on Feb. 27.
“We’ve developed a budget with the input of many different administrators,” Superintendent Richard Perry said.
Since state aid has remained consistently flat over the last few years, the board is anticipating the same will occur this coming year. Perry suggested that by budgeting to the state maximum of a 2 percent cap, money that is given to Haddonfield schools by the state, if any, will be immediately invested into supplies that were previously cut.
“The biggest part of this budget…is to have the lowest impact on students and staff…we looked at trying to be as creative as we can with capital expenditures…there was a lot of behind-the-scenes hard work,” Perry said.
Budgeting to 2 percent cap would only total cuts to be $617,000. At the high school and middle school, supply values would decrease by $10,000. Elementary school supplies would be cut by $15,000.
At the 2 percent cap, only one special education teacher and one educational assistant would be lost. If the board decided to budget at a 1 percent or with no increase, many more secretarial and teaching jobs would be lost, as opposed to just two positions.
The board has not yet calculated exact tax information for residents regarding tax increases, according to board member David Siedell. At the next budget meeting on March 13, finalized tax information will be available.
Siedell also mentioned that Haddonfield schools academically perform above comparable area schools, with one of the lowest ratios of staff to students.
“This would be the leanest administrator to student ratio ever…can you get it done?’ Siedell asked his fellow board members.
In response, most board members agreed that the changes at 2 percent cap budgeting would not affect students and their academic performance.
“We are very cost efficient. If we had to choose, we wouldn’t want to cut anything,” Perry said.
“I really appreciate that you put a recommendation for a 2 percent budget. With 1 percent, those cuts would be too difficult,” board member Maureen Eyles said.
Other board members voiced agreement.
“I support the 2 percent,” member Drew Hansen said.
“I think we’re really able to maintain the quality of our schools,” said member Mary Fagan.
The board must submit the budget to higher administration by March 20, and a final notice for a public budget hearing will be sent out on April 20.
The earliest possible date for the public budget hearing would be April 24. The final budget discussion for the year will most likely occur during the May 8 meeting.
In other news:
• The board vaguely discussed snow make-up days. If no more snow days occur, spring break will not have to be cut short. An exact time frame has yet to be determined.
“I’m really trying to save the spring break,” Perry said.
• As of Feb.27, the Haddonfield Memorial High School boys’ basketball team remained undefeated in the regular season. The board quickly mentioned the team’s outstanding victories.
“The students are doing fantastic in their extracurricular activities,” Perry said.
• During the public comment section, parent Michelle Smith shed light on a topic not related to the agenda, but one that got the board’s attention. Because Haddonfield public schools have an open policy about bringing devices to school, such as iPads, other tablets and laptops, to assist in studying activities, Smith said this initiative has allowed for students to get away with using their phones during lessons.
“It’s opening up a whole can of worms…there is so much that can’t be controlled,” Smith said.
“My son is now taking notes on his iPad…on the other hand, I got a text from my eighth grader during tutorial,” mother Lisa Pasco said, in agreement with Smith.
The board agreed that the “bring your device to school” initiative should be revisited, and possibly made stricter in some way.
“I do think it’s an interesting point,” board member Glenn Moramarco said.
“I’m not against singling out cell phones after review,” board member Heather Paoli concluded.
• Until June, the board is testing a pilot safety program with high school students. The program is called “STOP IT,” and allows students to text anonymous safety tips to administrators and staff, on a 24/7 basis. The board mentioned that the program is a way for it to see how modernizing tip lines can improve safety and dialogue about safety between students and staff.
“Students can text tips to administrators and remain anonymous…It puts in our hands more information,” Perry said.
• Information about the Haddonfield Summer Academy for this year is now on the web, and available through the board. Last year, the academy had 545 students attend summer classes, which were mentioned as more enrichment-based than activity-based. There are more than 50 classes for students to choose from this year. Some new and highly anticipated classes include Mandarin language class, and a “Hunger Games” class. Parents have the option to pay for classes using PayPal, in addition to traditional methods of payment.
