Mt. Laurel residents could see an increase in their local school tax bill this year.
The Mt. Laurel School District board of education approved the tentative 2015–16 budget during a special action portion of its work session meeting last night
According to the preliminary tax rate, residents with an average assessed home of $237,518 will see a tax increase of $42.75 in their local school tax bill.
During the presentation, Superintendent Antoinette Rath said the district’s goal is to continue creating better schools through curriculum and facility enhancements.
“This proposed budget builds upon the foundation we’ve created over many years,” Rath said.
The total amount of the tentative budget is $71.8 million, a 1.19 percent increase from last year. The district received $4.3 million in state aid, the same amount it received last year.
Included in the tentative budget are a number of materials to particularly enhance the science and technology programs. Money is being allocated for STEM materials and supplies and to write new curriculum standards for science in grades six through eight and technology for all grades. The district is also planning to purchase additional Chromebook carts and teacher computers.
A number of capital improvements are also included in this year’s budget. Among them is a roof project at Larchmont School, changing from carpet to tile at Springville School, HVAC control upgrades at three schools and phase two of the district’s exterior lighting project.
Business administrator Robert Wachter elaborated on one capital improvement during the work session. The district could expand its solar panel project to the elementary schools. Solar panels were installed at Hartford School and Harrington Middle School in 2010 and 2011 to help reduce the carbon footprint.
Wachter said the panels themselves could potentially cost less than the ones installed in the past.
“It’s about 50 percent of what we paid in 2010,” he said.
The tentative budget also includes the purchase of four new school buses. Two would be 54-passenger buses, one would hold 16 passengers and one would hold 24 passengers.
Rath said the district has tried to continue bettering the school facilities and programs while still keeping in mind the tax impact the budget has on Mt. Laurel residents.
“We feel this is a safe, sound budget,” she said.
The tentative budget was submitted to the Burlington County superintendent for review. The second reading and public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the board of education meeting on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.
No disruptions in PARCC’s first month
Rath said the first month of PARCC is wrapping up with few issues in the schools. Despite some students refusing to take the test, she said students are taking the test have been able to do so without any disruption.
In February, the school district announced students who refused the test would be permitted to do an alternate assignment. Students can also do an alternate assignment after completing the test. Rath said students refusing the tests have not disrupted those who were taking the assessment.
The school district hasn’t experienced many issues from a technology standpoint either. Rath said the district has not had any major issue, and the district’s technology team has been on hand to correct any minor issues.
March is when students take the performance-based component of PARCC. Students will also take an end-of-the-year component in May.
