Changes to the school funding formula may come soon
The end of a frustrating budget season is here for Clearview Regional School District.
While far from peril, the district has major concerns and is looking toward the state, but receiving few answers.
As previously reported, only two public school districts in Gloucester County are set to receive no additional state funding leading into the upcoming school year: Clearview Regional and Harrison Township School District.
However, reports indicate Gov. Murphy’s administration is looking to make adjustments to the state funding formula. Funding totals could change as soon as June.
If all stays the same, Clearview will begin next school year with the same approximate $15 million total. This makes up 41 percent of the general fund revenue. The tax levy collected from both Harrison and Mantua townships totals 52 percent, a balance not favored by the board. The remaining seven percent comes from tuition, the fund balance and “miscellaneous” costs.
Mantua Township residents with an average assessed home value of $205,513 will see a $31.50 annual increase, a 1.53-cent increase from last year.
Harrison Township residents with an average assessed home value of $341,695 will see a $110.83 annual increase, a 3.24-cent increase from last year.
Taxpayers can expect to fund approximately 52 percent of the 2018–19 budget, with Harrison Township residents carrying 51.67 percent of the weight to Mantua’s 48.33 percent.
Esther Pennell, Clearview Regional business administrator, stated ideally the tax levy and state aid numbers number would be even.
“We are moving further and further away from that,” she said, referring back to the 2008–2009 school year when state aid accounted for approximately 48 percent.
“While the state funding is shrinking, we are not able to raise taxes more than 2 percent,” Pennell said.
In total, the district sliced $550,000 from the initial numbers submitted leading up to the preliminary budget.
One area the district looked to make adjustments in was textbooks. Instead of buying all textbooks outright, the district has two- to three-year financing agreements on many collections. Clearview is also looking at technology maintenance rather than implementing new devices.
In terms of security, the district is looking to lease multiple surveillance cameras, along with other projects.
One project the school has appropriated funding for is the transformation of the 100-wing restrooms into handicap accessible facilities.
While concern for future budget planning is high, Pennell said this budget maintains school programs and staff while area districts are seeing a decline in enrollment. Clearview Regional is down approximately 242 students since October 2010. The upcoming first-grade classes in the Mantua and Harrison Township schools are also down, according to the board.
A goal not met this year, but the administration is hopeful to meet soon, is the one-to-one laptop program for the high school.
“Unfortunately, the funding is simply not there,” Pennell said.
