Harrison Township carries 51.97 percent of the share, while Mantua carries 48.03 percent.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
The Clearview Regional Board of Education presented the 2019–2020 budget last week, which will be sent off to the county for review and approval.
In Harrison Township, the budget calls for a 1.2-cent tax rate increase per $100 of assessed value. For an average home of $342,650, this equates to roughly a $41.12 increase.
In Mantua Township, taxes are to go up .83 cents per $100 of assessed home value. The owner of an average home of $205,513 can expect to see a $17.06 increase in the regional school taxes.
Harrison is responsible for 51.97 percent of the tax levy, while Mantua is responsible for 48.03 percent.
This year’s budget totals $40,729,605, an increase of $355,650. Business Administrator Esther Pennell said the increase, coming from the capital reserve, is to pay for the resurfacing of the track.
Pennell added the state mandates the district to raise taxes to the 2 percent cap because the district isn’t spending 100 percent of its $34,391,461 adequacy budget (amount the state determines it costs to educate a student). Clearview is spending 91.86 percent of the adequacy budget.
“We’re going to continue to work through the school board association and local legislators to see what we can do about that,” said Superintendent John Horchak. “It’s counter to logic when they tell you that you can spend 100 percent, and we’re spending 91 percent, and they’re going to continue to take money away.”
Additionally, both added the district is still due to lose $2,430,301 over a seven-year period.
The number, Pennell said, was calculated by the state using the district’s enrollment numbers. In October, (when enrollment is counted) the board expects to lose 49 students compared to 2018’s 2,285 students. Prior to the projection, the district was set to lose $1,863,300 in state aid.
“Based on that and a few other factors, the state aid differential/overfunding, is now $2,430,301 that we’re considered overfunded,” she said. “The state is now looking at that $2.4 million, and the second year, they’re looking to take $315,939 more.“
She added a small increase in enrollment is due to come in a few years, but it will dip back down.
Pennell went on to add departments were asked to reduce their spending on every line possible this past school year by 10 percent, and she and Horchak denied further expenditures to keep the district within its budget. Areas that saw cuts were equipment, technology, personnel and facility improvements.
“The goal, while losing state funding, will be to maintain our high-quality educational programs, facilities and grounds,” said Pennell.
“The new reality of declining enrollment and the associated decrease in state aid is at the forefront of our decision-making process,” said Horchak. “We remain committed to creatively crafting a budget that both maintains current programs and offers new course offerings and services to our students.”
The public hearing for the budget is scheduled for April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building. The approved budget and goals of the new budget will be presented. Changes in the budget will be reflected in The Mullica Hill Sun.
