The 2014–2015 Voorhees Township School District’s budget will increase taxes for residents.
The Board of Education adopted an operating budget of $52.8 million at the public hearing on May 7. The tax impact of this budget on the average Voorhees home assessed at $255,560 will be a $5 a month increase.
The budget’s revenue is made up of $5.5 million in state aid, $43 million from the local tax levy, $17,077 in federal aid and $1.1 million from a budgeted fund balance.
The tax levy on residents makes up the largest portion of the budget, with a 2 percent increase from the 2013–2014 budget.
This year’s budget strives to develop a professional learning environment for the students, provide technology resources and programs for students and to reduce energy usage and preserve natural resources by reducing the carbon footprint of the Voorhees School District, school officials said.
“The 2014–2015 budget maintains all existing programs, while providing access to the highest quality of instruction for all students in the most cost effective manner,” Richard Nelson, president of the board, said. “It supports the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.”
The board thanked the Voorhees teachers in recognition of Teacher’s Appreciation Week, applauding them for their efforts in educating the children.
In other news:
• The board approved the lease purchase of iPads for the Voorhees Middle School in the amount of $226,398.66 for three years, for a total purchase price of $679,195.98.
• Members of the community applauded Larry Osborne, the Voorhees guidance counselor, for his outstanding work. Members of the community also recognized the change in the board’s mission statement to reflect the need for innovation.
• The board elected to adopt all curriculums and textbooks in effect as of May 7.
