The Haddonfield Board of Education approved a “historic” 2012–2013 budget last week, one that includes a 0 percent school tax levy increase for Haddonfield taxpayers.
The $33.046 million budget features a zero percent school tax increase despite the borough losing about $6 million in ratables in the last year. The actual school tax levy in 2012–2013 is about .13 percent less than 2011–2012, Business Administrator Andy Hall said.
The Haddonfield Board of Education was in the advantageous position of having more money than usual this year thanks to a $150,000 windfall in revenue realized from an increase in state aid.
The approved 2012–2013 budget provides for a significant growth in the district’s technology initiatives, including becoming wireless district-wide. Other technology initiatives include; completing multimedia projection systems in each classroom district-wide, addressing technology infrastructure needs, providing SMART Board technology at the elementary schools, implementing iPad programs at the middle and elementary schools, adding laptop resources at the high school and introducing a new AUP (acceptable use policy) to allow students to bring in their own technology into the school buildings grades 6 through 12.
Also included in the budget will the painting of the high school auditorium, roofs will continue to be addressed, storm drains, parking lots, foundations, bathrooms, and water and sewer systems will also be repaired. A total of $317,250 will be spent on these capital improvements for next year.
Because the budget falls within the 2 percent tax cap, it will automatically be approved and borough residents will not vote on the document.
Superintendent Rich Perry applauded the board for its hard work.
“We’re positioning ourselves to expand our curricula on several areas. We’re using the budget as a platform to launch innovative programs and initiatives for years to come,” he said.
In other school district news:
Two members of the Haddonfield School District resigned last week.
Board of Education member Lynn Biehn and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dyanne Kerecman both tendered their resignations after the regularly scheduled BOE meeting on March 22.
Kerecman will continue at her position until July 1, while Biehn’s resignation was effective immediately.
The board will open up the BOE seat for the next 60 days for interested applicants from the Haddonfield community, Superintendent Rich Perry said. Whoever is appointed to the open seat will run until the end of the year and then have to run in the next election cycle if they wish to retain their seat.
The district will go through its regular process in hiring an assistant superintendent, Perry said. It will advertise the open position and bring in potential candidates for interviews.
“It’s a big loss with both of them. Lynn has been a valued member on the board for many years; she brought a unique perspective to the board of education. She’s a very nice person, very well skilled, especially in the areas of education. She was a valuable resource for the board for many years,” Perry said. “I’ve never met anyone like Dyanne in terms of how much respect if have for her in the educational community. She’s very well liked, well known throughout the area, and I consider her the best educational leader in terms of curriculum development in the state. She’s extremely highly regarded in those kinds of circles.”
