Board of Education Approves Tentative $90 Million Budget

A tentative $90 million budget was approved at Tuesday’s school board meeting, but BOE President Mary Shaughnessy was quick to say the figures were not set in stone.

“We only got the state figures late Friday.  Tonight we need board approval but we’re by no means done,” she told Patch before the meeting. “We’re looking to make some modifications toward some reductions, if possible.  We’re trying to keep the tax impact as low as possible without gutting our educational program.”

A Finance and Facilities document listed the figures as $60,972,430 from the local tax levy general fund, and $3,898,817 from the local tax levy debt services fund, totaling $64,741,247 for the 2012-2013 school year.

The local tax levy was $62,209,348 for the 2011-12 year ($59,411,033 plus $2,463,315), indicating that the school's portion of residents' local taxes could increase by 4.0 percent.

During the meeting, Shaughnessy noted that the school district received $2.1 million from the state last year, “most of which we’ll be plowing back in [to the schools] for tax relief.  Last year we came in flat – under flat.  But now we have to buy the things we didn’t buy last year.”

The board passed the tentative budget on Tuesday evening with no comment from the members.  It is expected to finalize the budget by March 27 and vote on it in the April 17 school board elections.

Other business:

Brookdale Elementary School staff and students gave an “Attitude is Everything” presentation at the meeting. Wearing matching, bright blue t-shirts, students read out essays describing their experiences in the ", followed by a description of it by resource teacher Jason Triano. 

Supported by a Dodge Grant, the 2-year project explores the effect of positive outlook on student achievement.

“Our classroom activities and lessons are geared toward positive attitude and achievement,” said Triano, who co-wrote the grant propsal for the program with Bloomfield psychologist and educator Dr. Monty Helfgott.  Triano said a research paper documenting the findings of the study will be presented at Montclair State University on June 27.

Brookdale Fifth grade instructor Lisa Gallagher said the lessons learned in the program are resonating with the students.  “It’s great to see how sincere and goal-oriented [the students] are.”

“When they’re in the real world, they’ll be prepared to work well in groups,” added teacher Susan Pyser. “They’re seeing cause and effect, how their attitude affects a group and who they work well with, rather than just seeking out their friends.”

“I thought it was fun!  Everyone learned how to work together as a team,” grinned fifth grader Hadiyyah Lesure, one of five students who spoke to the board and public attendees at the meeting.