At the Wednesday, April 25, meeting, the Haddonfield Board of Education approved the 2017–2018 school year budget and attendees got the latest scoop on construction.
At the Wednesday, April 25, meeting, the Haddonfield Board of Education approved the 2018–2019 school year budget and attendees got the latest scoop on construction. The budget will have an increase of state aid that will amount to $1,366,943 in comparison to last year’s $1,254,432.
Homeowners with an average property value of $491,674 will see an approximate increase in school taxes of $265 annually. This means an increase of $22 a month for the average home.
The general fund will increase 1.75 percent over last year’s budget, with a total school tax increase of 3.29 percent.
However, there will be a slight decrease in tuition revenue, approximately $78,710, due to low enrollment, according to the board.
The highlights of the budget include four major topics — curriculum, safe and well being of of student, facilities and technology.
“We are budgeting two supervisors and a high school science teacher and going to buy all new textbooks for the elementary science curriculum,” Assistant Business Administrator to the BoardStephen Burns said.
The curriculum aspect of the budget includes hiring two additional supervisors for $200,000, a high school science teacher for $80,000, and the purchasing of both elementary and high school science textbooks for a combined total of $125,000.
Student wellness costs include but are not limited to investing $55,000 to take the part-time elementary school counselor to full-time and incorporating intramural sports back into the budget for $8,000.
Facility costs include security updates, which will be a priority, but the specifics cannot be discussed publicly and a cost has not been determined yet.
The budget allows for $100,000 to be put into new display panels due to a need to replace outdated smart boards.
Rob Notely of New Road Construction provided an update on the construction project. The overall construction project has a total 55 percent completed at the end of March. For Central Elementary, the projected completion date is June 11 and stands at 70 percent of the way done. Tatem is 35 percent complete and expected to be completed in the winter of 2019. Haddonfield Memorial High School is mid-January of 2019. Stadium repairs at the high school are now complete and track resurfacing will be performed this summer.
“It’s been challenging for all of us, both the construction team and certainly for the district itself,” Notely said. “I certainly want to thank all the students, staff, administration and community for their continued patience.”
In Other News:
The new Tatem Principal was announced, Valerie Cline.
