If the budget is approved, taxes would increase by $94.24 for the average homeowner.
The Board of Education at last week’s meeting voted to approve the tentative 2017–2018 budget and authorized the board secretary to submit it to the executive county superintendent of schools for approval.
The total budget is $67.12 million with $43.93 million to be raised through taxation. This is an increase from last year’s budget of $65.98 million, but only a slight increase of funds raised through taxation, with last year being $43.04 million. The district is proposing a general fund tax levy increase of 2 percent.
For the average Burlington Township home valued at $234,510, school taxes would increase by $94.24 for the year to $4,656 if the budget passes as presented. The tax rate per $100 of assessed home value will rise by 4 cents.
By reallocating resources, the proposed budget will allow the district to add a part-time TV broadcast and production teacher to enhance program offerings. The budget also includes revenue of $473,000 to be withdrawn from maintenance reserve for required maintenance of school district facilities.
“We’re pleased that all programs were maintained, and reallocation of current program expenditures will allow us to slightly increase offerings at the high school through the newly offered TV production and broadcasting elective,” board secretary Nicholas Bice said. “We were able accomplish this by renegotiating various vendor contracts and use of reserves.”
No waivers will be taken and no bank cap will be used. This is the second budget in seven years that does not require reductions, which, according to the district, is due mainly to the health benefit increases being unusually low and and the contributions from employees toward health benefits increasing. State aid for debt service was slightly reduced.
According to the district, Burlington Township remains one of the most efficient districts in the state, with a per-pupil spending amount in the bottom 25 percent.
Additional budget information and a question submissions forum is available on the district’s homepage at www.burltwpsch.org.
“If you have any specific questions about the budget as we move forward, please submit your question electronically so your questions may be answered,” said Liz Scott, director of human resources and community relations for the district.
The public hearing on the budget will be Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Thomas O. Hopkins cafeteria at Burlington Township High School.
