SPECIAL SCHOOL BUDGET ISSUE – April 2013
LEARNING IN TENAFLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION
2013-2014 BUDGET By Don Kaplan, Chairman of The Finance Committee and Richard Press, President of The Board of Education
We are pleased to present this year’s budget which is Our plan to repair the roofs of all buildings without the once again within our state-mandated tax levy cap of 2%. need for a referendum continues. During the summer, This budget is fiscally responsible and respects the eco- the roofs at Stillman and Mackay will be replaced, as nomic realities facing all of us in our community. We will well as additional sections of THS. Next year the roof at continue to use the State Aid we receive to maintain and Smith will be replaced. improve our infrastructure. As part of the facilities upgrades, the grass at There is no public vote on the 2013-2014 school district Geissinger Field will be replaced with turf within the budget because the state legislation allows a school dis- next three years allowing for additional use of the field trict to adopt its school budget as long as it stays within for school-related activities, Tenafly Recreation and the state-mandated 2% tax levy cap. The November 5th community events. general election will include the vote for school board trustees. This change is in effect for the next 3 years. All state-mandated testing will be done electronically which will require us to enhance our technology Our primary focus, as always, is to continue to improve infrastructure, in addition to adding the iPads, tablets, the already high quality education provided to our and other computer equipment required for our children. Tenafly High School has once again been ranked curriculum. We are evaluating the possibility of staff 3rd best in New Jersey. Our students continue to rank and students bringing their own technology equip- at the top in NJ ASK Test Scores. ment into school and connect safely to our networks. We will continue to strive to keep class sizes low, and We expect to be able to accomplish this without a referendum by using State Aid. will implement course and electives with an emphasis on 21st Century skills. For seniors at THS, we will provide How are we able to do all this while keeping within the more authentic learning experiences and will expand 2% mandated cap? opportunities for all students to participate inmore By continuing to expand our Special Education pro- rigorous coursework. At the elementary school level, grams within the district so we do not need to send there will be added focus on phonics and vocabulary. our children out-of-district; expanding our shared Increased non-fiction reading and writing will occur across services with the Borough and other school districts; the district. We will expand the Autism Pre-K program to increasing the rental of our facilities; and capturing include children in K through 2nd grade. Keeping our advertising revenues. special education students in our district allows them to attend their local schools and interact with their friends We have also benefited from thegenerosity of our and neighbors, as well as saves money. community. The 2nd annual Bright Lights of Tenafly
dinner was very successful and we look forward to the Moving ahead with our plan to maintain and improve our next annual fundraising event. The Tenafly Educational facilities will provide a safe, updated educational environ- Foundation(TEF) continues to provide support for ment where students can flourish academically and socially: programs and technology that we could not otherwise
We will continue toimprove security systems in our provide. We also thank those families, community schools. This year we installed additional security cameras members, and businesses who have contributed and instituted ID badges for staff. Next year, the speaker money, equipment, and especially their time to allow us to continue the excellence of our school programs. systems in the elementary schools will be enhanced. We remain in frequent contact with the Tenafly Police Depart- We are very pleased and proud that the 2013-2014 ment as we work closely with them to ensure the safety school budget supports all the positive changes in the and well-being of our children. Tenafly School District and we hope that you are too! Page 2, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
SCHOOL BUDGET 2013-2014: CONTEXT & MAIN POINTS
By Lynn Trager, Superintendent of Tenafly Public Schools As superintendent of Tenafly Public Schools, I am proud to present the 2013-2014 school budget. Although this budget is for the upcoming school year, it reflects the work that we have done over the last several years and continues a plan for the next few years to address class size and improve our infrastructure. We have been successful in implementing three priorities over the last several years: increasing revenue, decreasing expenses and increasing shared services agreements. This success has enabled us to provide the means to create educational opportunities for our students to give them the necessary tools to help them become successful contributors in the 21st Century. This is a budget that balances the needs of our students and provides them with a progressive educational program within a fiscally responsible budget.
The 2013-2014 budget will: Provide more authentic learning experiences for seniors at THS Implement courses and electives with an emphasis on 21st Century skills Continue to keep class size low Move from a house model back to a team model at 8th grade Focus on phonics and vocabulary at the elementary level; and non-fiction reading and writing across the district Continue to expand opportunities for increased revenues through shared services, rentals, advertisements, donations and in-house special education programs Fully implement the new teacher and principal evaluation models Expand current Pre-K Autism program to K-2 (to be housed at Smith) Expand student opportunities to participate in courses of higher rigor Institute a girls freshman soccer team (based on interest and enrollment) Expand 4-year proactive plan to upgrade technology infrastructure, programs and facilities — [Stillman, Mackay, THS roofs (Summer 2013) and Smith roof (June 2014)] Continue safety upgrades– speaker system in elementary schools Enhance computer replacement and expansion Fully implement the new state-mandated Teacher and Principal Evaluation models
I am proud that Tenafly students have continued our strong history of success, as exemplified by the following: THS ranked 3rd in New Jersey TPS students ranked at the top in NJ ASK tests scores 43% increase in student participation taking AP tests over the last 3 years with 90% obtaining a score of 3 or higher Outstanding college acceptances Awards and acknowledgements in the areas of Fine & Performing Arts and Athletics
This budget continues and expands the tradition of excellence in the Tenafly Public Schools while remaining sensitive to the needs of the taxpayer. Thank you for your continued support of our students.
Page 3, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
DISTRICT GOALS
Goal I To sustain a dynamic learning environment that prepares each and every student to succeed in the 21st Century. Goal II To monitor and revise curriculum and instruction to ensure its rigor and relevance. Goal III To continue communication among the BoE, administration, teachers, students, parents, and community. Goal IV To generate additional revenue/savings through alternative sources.
BUDGET GOALS NEW ELECTION PROCESS
A budget that is educationally The School Board voted to move the School Board Election to November progressive and continues the
tradition of excellence in the Tenafly If the tax levy is at or below Public Schools the state-mandated CAP there is no public vote on the budget
A budget that is fiscally responsible If the tax levy is above the A budget that creates a multi-year state-mandated CAP, there will proactive plan that strategically be a budget vote in November
positions Tenafly Public Schools for By law, this process will be in the future effect through the 2015-2016
school year
VIEW THE LIVE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS ON THE TENAFLY PUBLIC SCHOOL HOME PAGE AT WWW.TENAFLY.K12.NJ.US
CLICK ON THE ‘BUDGET INFORMATION 2013-2014’ LINK (UNDER DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS) TO BE DIRECTED TO ALL LINKS PERTAINING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2013-2014 BUDGET Page 4, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
2013-2014 SCHOOL BUDGET
General Operating Budget = $61,813,966 Operating fund tax levy increase 2% Debt service decrease 2.27% translates to a net increase to taxpayer of 1.84%
$15.25/month school tax increase for the average Tenafly home (valued at $804,428)
$1,328,428 received in State Aid, minus $61,804 mandated contribution to Schools Development Authority — leaves $1,266,624 for Tenafly Public Schools
Debt service aid reduced by 8% to $353,266
2013-2014 BUDGET BREAKDOWN
BUDGET FACTS 2013-2014 Page 5, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
2013-2014 BUDGETED REVENUES
2013-2014 BUDGETED EXPENDITURES
$48,457,233 $ 4,529,002
$ 1,555,904
$ 1,813,868
$ 2,808,464
$ 1,239,096
$ 1,045,450
$ 364,949
Total Expenditures $ 61,813,966 Page 6, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
TOTAL PER PUPIL SPENDING* $13,965
Per pupil spending does not include out-of-district special education placements. *Based on the most recent NJ Report Card 2011-2012.
The majority of our spending goes directly to student instruction; we spend the highest percent of per pupil costs on direct classroom instruction compared to like districts Tenafly’s per pupil spending is comparable to like districts Per pupil expenses decreased from $14,101 in 2010-11 to $13,965 in 2011-12; a $136 decrease Per pupil spending does not include out-of-district special education placements
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Ranked 3rd in N.J. Top 100 Public High Schools* – 10th Consecutive Year!! Ranked 3rd in School Peer Group for combined SAT scores Named one of America’s Best High Schools 2012, Newsweek Named one of Top-Performing Public High Schools 2012, US News & World Report Three National Merit Scholarship Finalists, 30 Commended Students Two students selected as candidates for United States Presidential Scholars Program 121 AP Scholar Awards given in recognition of exceptional achievement on AP Exams (May 2012) Four National AP Scholars 669 students took the AP exam in 2012 with 90% obtaining a score of 3 or higher; 770 students are registered to take AP exams in May 2013 61% increase in students taking AP tests in last 5 years 95% of Tenafly High School graduates are attending college (Class of 2012)
*New Jersey Monthly Magazine, September 2012 Page 7, April 2013 LEARNING IN TENAFLY
TENAFLY HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS
Below are public high schools (ranked by SAT scores) as reported from the 2011-2012 NJ School Performance Report (NJDOE) % % SAT % of SAT SAT SAT Passed Passed Rank High School Name County Critical Taking Math Writing Total Math L.A. Reading SAT HSPA HSPA 1 Millburn Sr High Essex 633.7 605.2 617.8 1857 92 95 98 2 *Princeton High Mercer 629.8 610.7 613.4 1854 90 92 96 3 *W Windsor-Plainsboro South Mercer 638.2 598.9 608.7 1846 93 94 97 4 W Windsor-Plainsboro North Mercer 633.3 593.5 601.2 1828 96 95 97 5 *Tenafly High Bergen 632.2 575.1 597.7 1805 94 93 99 6 Montgomery High Somerset 613.5 584.9 591.1 1789 96 96 98 7 Holmdel High School Monmouth 617.6 585.9 584.4 1788 96 96 98 8 Ridgewood High Bergen 612.5 574.6 591.1 1778 95 95 98 9 N Valley Reg H Demarest Bergen 599.3 566.5 596.3 1762 84 98 98 10 J P Stevens High Middlesex 615.1 565.1 578.9 1759 94 94 98 11 Chatham High Morris 593.2 573.7 589.1 1756 95 95 98 12 Ridge High Somerset 599 572 575.3 1746 90 96 98 13 New Providence High Union 603 567.8 570.9 1742 98 94 98 14 Haddonfield Memorial High Camden 583.7 579.4 578.4 1741 96 97 99 15 Westfield Senior High Union 598.5 568.1 574.7 1741 93 95 98 16 Livingston Sr. High Essex 598.2 560.6 576.3 1735 88 96 99 17 Northern Highlands Reg H Bergen 585.2 563 583 1731 96 96 99 18 Mountain Lakes High Morris 582 569.3 576.7 1728 90 97 99 19 N Valley Reg H Old Tappan Bergen 593 553.6 579.1 1726 99 97 96 20 Dr Ronald McNair Academy H Hudson 586.3 563.2 567 1716 100 100 100 *Same School Peer Group, as defined by NJDOE
NEW JERSEY SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2011-2012 Rank School Peer Group High School County Combined SAT Score
1 Princeton Mercer 1854 2 West Windsor-Plainsboro S Mercer 1846 3 Tenafly Bergen 1805 4 Madison Morris 1711 5 Bernards Somerset 1708 6 Cresskill Bergen 1703 7 Bridgewater Raritan Somerset 1671 8 Randolph Morris 1662 9 Hillsborough Somerset 1660 10 Metuchen Middlesex 1646 SPECIAL SCHOOL BUDGET ISSUE
LEARNING IN TENAFLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION
Lynn Trager Nonprofit Org. Superintendent U.S. Postage Barbara Laudicina PAID Assistant Superintendent Permit #492 Joseph Amatuzzi Interim Business Administrator/ Paramus, NJ 07652 Board Secretary Board of Education Members *** ECRWSS *** Richard Press, President Edward Salaski, Vice President Mark Aronson Sam Bruno RESIDENTAL CUSTOMER Shana Greenblatt Janoff TENAFLY, NJ 07670 Donald Kaplan Phyllis Perskie-Kesslen Lynne Stewart Jonathan Teall
Petitions for Board Trustee Positions Due: Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Election of Board Members: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
TEF Tenafly 5k Run Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Tenafly Educational Foundation (TEF) Tenafly 5k Run and Dog Walk, the popular town-wide fundraiser, will be held on Sunday morning, June 2, at the TMS on Sunset Lane.
The TEF has hosted the Tenafly 5k Run and Dog Walk for 15 years, raising more than $475,000 to support discretionary grants to TPS. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.
9:00 a.m. — USATF sanctioned 5k Run, and the 5k Dog Walk and Stroller Trot 10:00 a.m. — The 1-mile Dog Parade & Pet Agility Course begins 10:30 a.m. — The 1-mile Fun Run 10:40 a.m. — Doggie Fun Run begins 11:15 a.m. — The Awards Ceremony begins
The Family Health & Fitness Fair, attracting more than 50 local food, sports, pet, camp and healthy lifestyle vendors, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the TMS Gym.
For sponsorships and information, visit www.tenafly5k.com or call Mark or Judy Aronson at 201-567-8313.