Medford Public Schools propose tax rate increase for 2020-2021 school budget

Tax rates are expected to rise in Medford Township as the school district proposes an increase to cover expenses related to expenditures. 

The $52,677,366 Medford Township Public Schools budget calls for a 2.33 percent tax rate increase (including a bank cap of $147,669 “for the purpose of retaining general education teaching staff”), as presented by Business Administrator Marie Goodwin at the March 16 board of education meeting.

For a home in Medford Township with an average assessed value of $326,393, property owners can expect to see an annual payment increase of $96.02 to the local school district.

Ratables in the township, according to Goodwin, have increased by $8 million, which has relieved some of the impact of tax increases on residents. 

“This year, we are cutting $1.4 million out of our budget (appropriations),” Goodwin shared. “Some of the reductions that we are including are reductions in our instructional staff, classroom assistants and transportation staff. Privatization in some of our bus routes, reduction in maintenance projects, reduction in district technology projects and reduction in curriculum,  including summer curriculum writing.”

A loss of $116,000 in state funding was made known to the board, with net losses totaling $575,221. Goodwin anticipates a $200,000 reduction next year. 

Despite the losses and cuts in revenue, Goodwin reassured the board she had urged the district and departments to continue meeting the needs of special education students, school safety and security. 

Goodwin sought approval from the board to withdraw $50,000 from the capital reserve to replace the domestic water heater at Kirby’s Mill, citing its failure. The board approved that  measure and a request to use cap bank. 

Superintendent Joe DelRossi emphasized the budget remains tentative until final adoption, as unanticipated changes may occur, one of which concerns the growing coronavirus pandemic. 

“I want to mention our teachers because not only did we select our teachers to be able to look at the pandemic plan in place, but to assist in that plan after school and today (March 16) to create plans to give us 20 instruction days for our students,” he said. 

Departments throughout the district were recognized, especially those who helped secure lunches for all enrolled students in the district. 

“Section 13 of the plan does say that we will review the process to make sure we are stronger in the future, God forbid that we need to use it again,” DelRossi explained. “We will do that and there will be a report to the board of education as well.”

All of the district’s teaching staff will have their building access permission turned off until the restrictions on public education are lifted by either Gov. Phil Murphy or the county health department. 

Maintenance and custodial staff will have limited “supervised” access to the schools to deep clean and sanitize all areas. Four bus drivers at a time will be allowed to enter the depot to thoroughly clean and sanitize the vehicles. 

“We have responsibilities for accountability and our central office staff will have to access this building, but it will be monitored remotely,” DelRossi noted. “We can monitor everything remotely that goes on here, and our principals and supervisors will be doing that.

“Dr. Gale Ferraro will be working with the Child Study Team, as there are specific deadlines with IEPs and parent meetings.”

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Richard Lacovara said report cards for the third marking period will not be sent out; instead, one large report card covering the third and fourth marking periods will be issued.

“Rather than try to rush to get the report cards done because teachers are losing two weeks of the marking period, and then an additional two weeks of the fourth marking period is lost, we will have one large marking period,” Lacovara said. “We’ll provide guidance to teachers on how to proceed with comments.”

The approved budget will be sent to the county superintendent for final approval and adoption. A public hearing is April 27 in the central office (137 Hartford Road) at 7:30 p.m.

The board will hold its next meeting April 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the same location.