School Budget Rises, Tops $40 Million Mark
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Volume 114113, Number 6 Thursday, February 10, 2000 60 Cents School budget rises, tops $40 million mark The cost of operating the township school system will pass the $40 mil- lion mark next year under terms of the 2000-2001 school budget tenta- tively adopted by the Board of Edu- cation at its meeting Monday night. Total spending, under the budget presented Monday by Superinten- dent of Schools James Donovan and district administrators, will be $40,201,844—$3.14 million higher than the current year’s costs. The tentative budget will be reviewed, and possibly revised, by various board committees before a final draft is presented for public discussion and board adoption at the board’s March 27 meeting. Adopting of the $40.2 million budget would require an 11-point increase in the school tax rate. For the owner of a property assessed at $250,000, the average assessment in the township, that would mean a tax increase of $275 and would bring Staff photo by Eveline Speedie the average school tax bill to $5,075. CLEANING UP—The township public works department had its hands full Monday morning, clear- Dr. Donovan cited five “drivers” ing away snow on Millburn Avenue so motorists would have parking spaces. The clean-up caused that had a significant impact on the traffic jams throughout the day, starting at rush hour, but left the streets noticeably clearer, at least development of the budget, includ- until the next snowfall. ing increasing enrollment, active turnover of housing in the township, increased special education costs, state mandates and the “desire” to WHERE IT GOES—Chart above indicates how current expenses maintain current programs and are distributed in the Board of Education’s budget for the com- Sparks fly Monday night school services. ing year. Chart below shows distribution of the same expenses State aid to the district—increased by salaries, benefits and all other areas. this year by $180,449— is still only a projected 5.6 percent of total rev- at Board of Ed meeting enues. The portion of the state’s total contribution of $2,247,874 slated to Comments about the teachers’ ment for our staff.…The settlement did not tell me you were going to offset special education costs this contract negotiations made by Board speaks for itself.” read a board statement,” responded year is $1,918,620. The board’s bud- of Education member Abby Kalan at The board chairman’s comments Ms. Errico. “I object to the state- get document lamented the lack of the board’s January 24 meeting con- ignited further debate on the issue. ment.” more state funding overall, stating tinued to draw fire from her own col- Board member Corinne Errico At this juncture, Ms. Kalan regis- “The Department of Education con- leagues, most recently at Monday disassociated herself from Ms. Lit- tered her own objection to Ms. Lit- tinues to impose new standards and night’s board meeting. terman’s statement, saying “I do not terman’s statement. “It is appropri- initiatives on Millburn and expects know why you are reading this as a ate for the record to show that you Ms. Kalan’s comments at the pre- our tax payers to fund their projects board letter when I was not polled. I did not poll every board member vious meeting criticized the leader- with limited financial assistance would have preferred you made it because you have not had a conver- ship of the Millburn Education from them.” your own personal comment.” sation with me for two weeks,” she Association for what she perceived Current expenses constitute 92.8 Ms. Litterman interrupted, claim- to be misrepresentations and ques- percent of the budget. Of the ing she had polled Ms. Errico. “You Continued on Page 5 tionable conduct. A number of board $37,291,760 slated for current members at the meeting disassociat- expenses, roughly 80 percent is ear- ed themselves from her comments at marked for salaries and benefits. The that time. Casserly’s decision remaining 20 percent— At the conclusion of Monday $7,372,230—covers all other costs, night’s committee reports, board including textbooks, supplies, utili- president Mary Litterman read a leaves 1 empty seat ties and services. statement saying Ms. Kalan’s com- Major increases in the current An additional music teacher is Item, saying a number of final ments “caught us by surprise.” expenses budget are attributed to ris- also needed at the middle school and expenditures may need to be exam- Ms. Litterman said, “The rest of to fill in election ing utilities costs, up $191,900, new state mandates will necessitate hir- ined, such as the possible inclusion the board would have preferred such staff, up $481,000, benefits, up ing approximately five additional of gym ceiling renovations at the statements were left unsaid. Our A decision by Janice Casserly to ferent to the table. $276,031, special education, up world language teachers. middle school. concern is that many people may seek a second 3-year term on the “It’s nice to be associated with $793,081, and regular instruction “As of today, we have registered The draft was tentatively adopted have interpreted the opinion of one Board of Education leaves one seat something excellent,” she added. costs, up $1,609.965. 270 out of the 300 students we Monday in order to submit it to the person as being representative of the remaining to be filled on the board in “That’s how I think of this board.” The summary of new staff expect for kindergarten next year,” Essex County superintendent of entire board.” Ms. Litterman contin- April’s election. The deadline for filing nominating requests reflects the growing popula- said Dr. Donovan. schools as required by law. ued, “Since the last meeting, I have Ms. Casserly joins fellow board petitions to run for the board is 4 tion in township schools. The budget The budget presented Monday Additional changes may be rec- polled the board members on this member Ronni Schuman-Brown in p.m., Monday, February 28. The calls for 3.4 new classroom teachers night was the third version the board ommended by the board committees point and I want to make it perfectly running for re-election. The third election is scheduled for Tuesday, at the elementary level, four new has drafted. The initial version stood prior to their March 27 meeting at clear she does not speak for this board member whose term expired April 18. seventh grade teachers for the mid- at $40,646,187. The board trimmed which time the budget will be open board.” this year, Corinne Errico, has said Prospective board candidates can dle school and an additional social $300,000 by the January 24 meeting to public feedback and comment. At Speaking “on behalf of the board,” she will step down from the board. obtain a “School Board Candidate studies teacher for the high school. when school principals presented that meeting, the board will approve Ms. Litterman said, “We had great “My business experience is help- Kit” at the Education Center located “Last year it was the sixth grade,” their budget requests. the final draft of the budget that will progress in achieving the board goal ful,” Ms. Casserly told The Item at 434 Millburn Avenue. said Dr. Donovan, “this year, we “Now, we continue with the go before the public for ratification of working with our staff providing prior to Monday night’s board meet- The kit includes information have to address (the growing popu- process,” Dr. Donovan told The on April 18. the best possible working environ- ing. “I think I bring something dif- Continued on Page 5 lation of) the seventh grade.” Cohen, Sigler take helm at DMDA The inside story Registration commences for Classified ................................25-27 day. The New York City planning By Eveline Speedie town Art Fair. See Page 3. Coming events...............................4 firm was retained by the local busi- Editorial ..........................................4 ness group to help design the master Entertainment.............................8, 9 The Downtown Millburn Devel- plan. According to Mr. Buckhurst, opment Alliance (DMDA) will pur- Movies............................................8 “nothing has been done since the Millburn High fencers cap- sue its dream of implementing a Obituaries.......................................6 flood.” The Township Committee ture third straight District 2 master plan for the township’s busi- Religious news...............................6 will hear the final report in June. title. Story, Page 16. ness center with a new president and “I will be setting up the organiza- Social .............................................7 new executive director at the helm as tion with Rose,” Ms. Cohen Sports .....................................16-22 part of a reorganization for 2000. explained last week. “My goals are Taking over the presidency from to get more input from members and Ken Gruskin is Amy Kirsten Cohen. to get more residents involved in the Rose Sigler will assume the duties Township roads prove DMDA. This is a little diamond we of executive director on a consulting have here. We will work to maintain basis. the integrity and charm of the town.” hazardous during week The reorganization comes at a cru- Mrs. Cohen has been active on the cial time for the DMDA, as it pur- It wasn’t a good week for rah Murphy of Union collided with a motorists in the township. Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First sues a master plan initiative recom- DMDA board of directors for the A truck accidentally dumped a Aid Squad ambulance on Parsonage mending improvements for the past two years. She is a lifelong load of lumber on Route 124 last Hill Road Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., downtown.