Check out some of the top stories from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
The Board of Education approved the proposed preliminary budget and administrators presented the 2016 standardized test results for the district at the March work session meeting. Mayor Joann Gattinelli addressed residents at the council meeting that she is hopeful there will not be a tax increase in the 2017 municipal budget, while petition committee members presented the governing body with signatures opposing a recent salary range ordinance council adopted in February. Students within the district were also recognized for musical talents, fundraising efforts and creative initiative. Check out some of the top stories from the past week in the Weekly Roundup.
Board of Education approves preliminary budget
A school tax increase of 2 percent was approved at last week’s Board of Education work session when board members voted on the tentative proposed budget for the 2017–18 school year. The preliminary budget totals $148.96 million dollars, a decrease of 0.65 percent from the 2016–17. The board will be holding a public hearing on April 26 at 7 p.m.
Standardized test results presented at Board of Education meeting
The school district’s results in the AP, SAT, ACT and PARCC standardized tests were reviewed at last week’s Board of Education work session meeting. Results suggested Washington Township was above state and national average scores for the AP Exam and certain SAT and ACT subjects. Scores also showed students at elementary levels have improved in PARCC state expectations.
Mayor optimistic about preliminary budget; petition validity under review
At last week’s council meeting, Mayor Joann Gattinelli addressed residents on first quarter progress and said she does not anticipate a tax increase for the 2017 municipal budget. She also stated she and the administration have been working diligently with economic development, cost saving initiatives and human resource strategies. Petition committee members delivered signatures opposing a recent salary range ordinance council adopted in February to Vice President Joe Perry, however the validity of electronic signatures has yet to be determined by council. Petition Coordinator Brian McBride suggested taking legal action if electronic signatures were to be denied.
Heggan Library to close for parking lot reconstruction
The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library announced they will be closed from April 8 to 16 for parking lot reconstructions. Library cardholders will not be able to place material on hold, or pick up holds as of March 27. Online resources will still be available to search the catalog, renew eligible materials, download audiobooks and e-books, register for programs and access the library’s online resources from your home computer or mobile device.
District operations manager awarded for management, leadership success
Washington Township Public Schools’ Operations Manager Bob Schoenfeldt has been named as the 2016–17 Certified Educational Facilities Manager of the Year by the New Jersey Building and Grounds Association. The award annually recognizes management, leadership, innovation, outstanding service and best practices in the field of school buildings and grounds. Schoenfeldt was selected from 1,200 certified professionals across the state.
All-South Jersey and All-State musicians recognized by Board of Education
The Washington Township High School Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts Robert Frampton and the Board of Education recognized students from the district named to All-South Jersey and All-State honors ensembles at last week’s Board of Education work session meeting. The audition involves anonymous performances of scales, a prepared solo and a piece of music students have never seen or practiced before.
First-graders raise more than $3,600 for cancer research
Students from Hurffville Elementary School collected loose change in a week-long coin drop, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The fundraiser raised a total of $3,625.69, all told and in addition to cash donations, the students collected 31,864 pennies, 5,979 nickels, 7,931 dimes and 6,516 quarters.
Living historians share first-hand accounts of women’s history
Washington Township High School students heard tales from women who served and lived through during World War II last week in Karen LaRosa’s U.S. History class. LaRosa’s mother, Millie Chiolo, was joined by Sylvia Brugger, Bert Deininger and Joan Slimm who spent the class period engrossed in conversation with the students.
