The Medford Township Public School district is continuing to recover from its budget cuts of five years ago with the addition of teachers and capital projects in its 2014–15 budget.
The Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2014–15 budget at last week’s meeting. The budget includes a $154.10 tax increase for the average assessed home of $329,530.
The tax increase goes slightly above the maximum two percent tax levy cap. The district was able to do this by utilizing $661,081 worth of bank cap.
School board president Michael Etter said the increase in taxes is magnified by the lack of state aid Medford schools receive. The district is getting $4.7 million from the state for next year.
“Camden gets far more per pupil from the state than our total cost per pupil to educate,” he said.
Despite the lack of state aid, the district was able to bring back more teaching positions lost in the 2009–10 budget cuts. Two technology teachers, one media specialist and one music teacher will be added for next year. The district also restored a maintenance position.
In 2013–14, the district brought back two teaching positions, putting the total number of restored teachers at six.
The budget also included 11 capital projects. Seven of the projects are the addition of security vestibules at each school. The other four are a cooling tower replacement at Allen Elementary School, a skylight replacement at Allen, replacement of the bridge at Medford Memorial Middle School and replacement of the bell, clock and fire alarm at the middle school.
Business administrator Chad Fires said the district is using Regular Operating District grants to help fund the projects.
“The bulk are getting done with the ROD grants,” Fires said. “We had to delay a lot with the budget cuts.”
Etter said the district is hoping to get back on a regular schedule with the district now five years removed from its 2009–10 budget cuts.
“We want to get back on a schedule so that it is a routine,” he said.
Prior to the budget approval, bids were awarded for all of the capital projects. Fires said the goal is to have all of them completed in time for the 2014–15 school year.
Superintendent Joseph Del Rossi also added the addition of funding for curriculum changes related to the Common Core. This includes a new middle school math program and technology upgrades.
In other news:
• Two group presentations were held at the beginning of the meeting honoring students from different groups. The Medford Memorial Middle School wrestling team was given certificates for their undefeated championship season. A group of Haines sixth grade students were also honored for being named to the All-South Jersey Elementary Honors Band.
• Two groups from the middle school’s citizens science education program gave a presentation on their work with WeatherBug Home. Last month, two CSEP groups shared first place at the Rutgers Teen Climate Summit. The groups are working with local energy companies and the community to install WeatherBug Home stations inside of houses. WeatherBug home is designed to help residents save on their energy bills by keeping a home at an adequate temperature.
• The next Medford Board of Education meeting is on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Medford Memorial Middle School.
