BOE Proposes 4.9 Percent Increase in Tax Levy
Waivers used to exceed state-mandated 2 percent cap
The Lacey Board of Education approved its 2013-14 preliminary school district budget, which includes a 4.9 percent increase in the local tax levy.
“As this budget is today, I’m not in support of it,” President Eric Schubiger said at Monday’s special meeting. “I know we have a lot of work to do and I know that we are all going to look at this closely in the next several weeks.”
The preliminary budget was approved by a vote of 5-2, with Schubiger and board member Frank Palino opposed.
After boasting a zero percent tax increase for two straight years followed by a 1.7 percent increase in the levy in 2012, the board was unable to introduce its budget within the state-mandated 2 percent cap.
The proposed $65,378,595 spending plan calls for a $42,065,051 tax levy. Last year, the board adopted a $64,216,897 operating budget with a $40,090,630 tax levy.
Business Administrator James Savage could not yet say what the increase will cost the average homeowner, as the township is currently in the process of calculating Lacey’s assessment.
The district also still doesn’t know the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the town’s tax base. The board is in the process of meetihg with the township Committee to discuss the issue.
“One of the biggest reasons I voted no is because I know what our community has been through in the last year,” said Schubiger, who lives in an area of town that was decimated by the storm. “My heart’s definitely in a different place this year.”
Waivers Used to Exceed Cap
Although above the state cap, the district will not need a referendum to pass the budget since the state allows for 14 exceptions. The district will be granted two waivers — one for health benefits and the other for a banked cap.
The agenda for the special meeting included two resolutions, stating that in the proposed budget, is the increased cost of health benefits in the amount of $722,000, an increase of 13.3 percent.
Also included in the budget is an adjustment for banked cap in accordance with state statute. The second resolution states that the district has “fully exhausted” all eligible statutory spending authority and must increase the base budget by $450,608 due to the decrease of solar renewable energy credit revenue.
Savage credits the 4.9 percent tax levy increase primarily to the rise in cost of health benefits, a $500,000 increase in salaries and the decrease in SREC. With the increase in health benefits alone, the district could not stay within the cap, he said.
Over the last three years, the district has earned revenue in excess of $1 million each year. Due to the drop in SREC value, the district will earn approximately $200,000 in the upcoming year.
“I’m hearing they’ll go back up. They’ll never go back up to where they were,” Savage said. “We did not know it was going to drop that badly. But we’re still making money.”
Since the district earned more than expected the past three years, they actually are right where they should be, Schubiger said, adding that without the solar project, the district would be in a “worse financial situation.”
Monday’s agenda included a third resolution, acknowledging an allocation of $136,000 to travel and related expense reimbursements for all staff and board members. In 2012, the board approved $82,500 in travel expenses.
This expenditure includes traveling, training and professional development costs, Board Member Jack Martenak said.
The board’s Finance Committee just received state aid figures on Thursday, Martenak, said. Lacey schools will receive $87,278 more in state funding than they did in 2012-13. While Lacey received $20,972,424 in state aid in the 2012-13 year, the district will receive $21,059,702 in 2013-14. This is a 0.4 percent increase.
The school board didn’t receive budget figures until Friday, just three days before the special meeting.
“There are still a lot of questions that people will need answered and information they will want. But the state has got us on a tight schedule from when they give us the numbers and when we have to submit budget,” Martenak said.
‘Ongoing Process’
Schubiger commended those involved in preparing the budget for their hard work.
“It’s an ongoing process, year round that we look at and I know a lot of people put a lot of hard work into this and I thank everyone for that,” he said.
Board member Linda Downing, after voting “yes” for the budget, added, “knowing that we’re going to be tweaking some of the items.”
The preliminary budget will be sent to the County Superintendent of Schools by Thursday for approval. The budget will not be finalized until the end of the month at a public hearing.
“This budget could change by the time we get to the public hearing. The county office can change it and/or members of the board might change it,” Savage said. “I’m still working on it actually.”
Schubiger is hopeful the budget will be “more suitable” by the public hearing.
“I’m not comfortable supporting the budget as it stands at this moment,” he said. “I want the tax levy to be less. Our job is to make the tax levy less for the taxpayer.”
The preliminary budget, as is, does not include any cuts or layoffs. Although anticipated retirements should help in decreasing staff costs, Schubiger said.
“We’re not looking at cuts to areas,” he said. “But everything’s on the table at this point.”
Downing also said she is “uncomfortable” with the tax increase.
“We need to look at what’s in the budget closer,” she said, adding that some of the new initiatives included in the preliminary budget may have to wait.
There are many new initiatives that are contributing to the increase in the tax levy, including the full day kindergarten and the random drug testing programs and school security. Schubiger called the initiatives “good programs that the students deserve.”
Another new project is a student information package, an online portal in live time, Downing said.
But the board has to find a balance by offering students an opportunity to succeed while also keeping taxes down, Schubiger said.
While kindergarten and random drug testing will come at a cost, Schubiger hopes the district can partner with the police department to boost school security while taking advantage of grants, as was done with the badge system.
“Usually (the budget) is so down to the dime without cutting important programs,” Downing said. “We don’t want to do anything to hurt the kids. We don’t want to stop progress. It’s a balancing act. It’s a tough call.”
A presentation for the residents of Lacey will be done at the school board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 18. A public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, March 22.
The proposed budget will be posted on Lacey Patch as a PDF document once available.
Below are the proposed figures for the preliminary budget:
|
Budget Category |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 (Proposed) |
|
Local Tax Levy |
38,379,406 |
39,413,121 |
40,090,630 |
42,065,051 |
|
Total Local Repayment of Debt |
5,065,599 |
5,122,788 |
5,028,138 |
$4,414,550 |
|
Total Operating Budget |
57,593,870 |
64,642,232 |
64,216,897 |
$65,378,595 |
|
Total Expenditures |
65,641,245 |
71,095,320 |
70,599,335 |
$71,029,145 |
john
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Holy Mackerel!! Just what we need in these most troubling times is another increase? Could this be the "Art of the Deal"? Ask for the sky and get a smaller increase? Any increase will hurt the average "Joe".
William J Moss
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Let us not forget a 1.7% increase last year cost the tax payer $99.00 for a 317'000.00 Dollar home .(average) Your comments don't mean crap on here, butt they may help at a school board meeting Remember we still have a County Budget and a town Budget . So sit back enjoy your beer and wait for what is coming down the pike . March 18Th is a school board meeting, and on the 22ND a public meeting . Then off goes the budget to Trenton for approval.
GB Shore
10:50 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
To be honest Bill, I don't think it much matters to them when you go to the meetings either, except that they HAVE to sit there and listen...but I think that they have calluses on their ears and think the fact that they have been re-elected so many times, they feel like they can just keep doing what they do....
River City Rover
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Go figure...a new Superintendent and a 5% tax increase...she should have stayed in her ritzy Wall area. Doesn't she get that Lacey is a working class town with average hardworking people who can't afford this tremendous increase in these hard times???
Jay
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Yes board of Ed, look at the budget more closely. There is so much unnecessary technology being put into the schools per the superintendent who doesn't even live in or pay Lacey taxes. Interactive boards are a joke for elementary school children. They are cutting back on support people who live and pay taxes in this town to put in electronics. Something is wrong with this picture. Technology cannot take care of our children and whatever happened to teachers just teaching.
GB Shore
10:50 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
What does living in the town have to do with her doing her job? I do not know here nor am I saying I support what she's done so far but let's dispense with the "you should live in the town" line of thinking. Has NOTHING to do with anything. BTW, you should see property taxes in Wall.....you should think again about what we pay (thanks to the power plant) versus what other towns pay on average...All I am suggesting here is to keep the focus on the issue(s) and not cast aspersions that have nothing to do with the issues.
chtulu2000
11:02 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Jay...your method of thinking is the problem! You do not understand that kids in different parts of the state, country and the WORLD are light years ahead of us because of levels of education and technology used in schools.
GB Shore
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
....here we go again....
GB Shore
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
....so lets' take a look at the table above. this is not rocket science here. From 2010-2011 School Year to 2013-2014 school year, the tax levy increased a total of $3,685,645. Spending for the same period increased $5,387,900. So, the increase in spending outpaced revenue.
What we have here locally, is the same thing we have at the State and National level. WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. Note, at the Federal level, we have seen RECORD HIGH REVENUES for the last 3 years and a projection of another record this year coming up.
We need to take a look at what is necessary as well as the formula for all these "negotiated" expenditures we incur every year. The number do not lie. We need to look at how we do things....the way it is clearly is not working...
T.H.
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Let'see...increase in water/sewerage fees (because of vacant/foreclosed homes), increase in property tax, increase in home and flood insurance, insane requirements proposed by FEMA due to devastation of Sandy..hello are you crazy??? We don't have anything left to give.. LEAVE US ALONE!!
GB Shore
10:50 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Well, you saw where the biggest increases are......if you don't start controlling costs in things that you can negotiate, then that trend line will continue to go up....but wait, this Board hasn't seen an increase it doesn't like...you can only do so much by cutting expenses...you have to find innovative ways to reduce and by drawing a line in the sand when it comes to negotiating contracts.
William J Moss
12:56 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
T.H. Just so you know the LMUA raised rates 4% Jan 1St (WHY) 1464 delinquent accounts therefor 1.162 million dollar loss revenue NOW on 2-14-2013 the township gave the LMUA 2 check 1 for 413 thousand 717 dollars and 11cents the other for 300 thousand 790 dollars and17 cents Total of 714thousand 507 dollars and 28 cents Why you may ask this was the amount collected for water and sewer rates paid for at the Jan 25 tax sale This means they are now 447 thousand 498 dollars short There is a meeting of the LMUA tomorrow night Guess what No rate payers show up at there meetings.Do you think they will lower there rate hike???
Nick Mackres
10:21 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Does anyone know why the operating budget between 2010-11 and 2011-12 jumped 12% (more than $7 million) and stayed there?
Tom C
10:50 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
As soon as the town brought in some big company to drug test instead of just using the school nurse, I knew it was a $cam. Pay up suckers! The convenience you have demanded is now mandatory
GB Shore
11:04 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The school nurse is not going to take the samples and test them...you also have other issues in terms of how the specimens are handled etc....not something the school nurse could have done....
Xavier
11:43 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Wow, you're actually higher than Barnegat and we're still paying for a new high school.
Tom C
11:43 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@GB ok, fine even though you can get a testing kit at RiteAid for $25 with a 99% accuracy rating. You can pay some big company who has a vested interest in kids being on drugs to administer the same test for how much money? $50, $100, $200????
GB Shore
12:22 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I'm not saying hiring someone to do it is the right thing. I've got issues with how they appear to be singling out those that participate in activities (news flash, the bad drugs are not typically your athletes....). in any event, I was just pointing out that it is not as simple as you make it out to be...there are chain of custody requirements as well as legal ramifications. I'm just saying there is more to all this than a nurse and a kit from Rite Aid....
proud
9:01 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
GB Sore states:
.... I've got issues with how they appear to be singling out those that participate in activities (news flash, the bad drugs are not typically your athletes....)......
I often agree with you @ GBS, but as any A Rod/Barry Bonds/ Lance Armstrong will tell you.......
GB Shore
10:22 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
@proud...it still does not change the gfact that it is specious and arbitrary...so what, we single out HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES because of what PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES have done???? Sorry proud, but you are stretching it and missing the bigger point here. I can tell you thast the drug problem with which we are all concerned with....heroin, ecstasy, coke, weed etc is much less about the student athlete. It is about the larger more dangerous problems...THAT is what we are talking about. If you are going to test one group, you have to test all....that is my point....
tr
11:44 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
As our wise and knowledable, Mr. Moss said, this media platform means nothing. You have to show up at the PUBLIC MEETING on March 18th and 22nd and speak your concerns for it to count. If you are too much of a coward to do that, write a letter and sign it, if you do not do either, PAY UP AND SHUT UP. Like I keep saying GO TO THE MEETINGS or the Jersey Shore is going to be for the top 10% of the population as far as income. The hard working middle class in Lacey will be part of the pictures at the School House Museuum.
GB Shore
12:22 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
People have been going to meetings not only for the BOE but the town committee as well. Until we get some new folks and/or new ways of thinking about things, then I agree with you @tr. We've had the same folks year in and year out with really no change in behavior....like I mentioned before, people do get up and speak their mind but is falls on deaf, calloused ears.....
Mortimer Snurd
12:22 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Give the school students what they need. Our academic rating within the State demonstrates the necessity for a better Education program what ever it costs. We should follow the Federal Gov'ts lead and increase our debt to lower our taxes and attract new residents. No one wants to increase class size nor consolidate grades 6-12 with a regional system.
GB Shore
12:56 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@mortimer....give them whatever they need? What does that mean? You say this as if the issue with poor academics is a lack of resources. Please do some homework....all the money poured into districts like Jersey City, Asbury Park, Camden etc. have done NOTHING to increase academic performance. Throwing money at a problem is rarely the answer.
Also, increase debt to lower our taxes? Really? Which universe does this come from????
Mortimer Snurd
4:32 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@GB our town can borrow money just like the fed to fund all kinds of problems that confront us. It's just a loan. The interest rates have not been this low in since for ever. We could add sea walls in front of the entrance to every lagoon and river to divert the flow of ocean swells or any other meaningful idea for flood mediation, build our own roads improve drainage to control flooding, improve the park system.
We do not have the same problems as the communities you mention. Maybe we should have a minimum intelligence entrance exam for all future residents, in this way we might have better parents and the negative performance on State exams and our ranking within the state might improve. How would you suggest the BOE improve student's outcome.
On the other hand: Autonomy is great, but maybe we should let Ocean County and State provide all of Lacey's public services. Our property taxes might be a lot lower.
GB Shore
5:40 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@Mortimer...sorry but borrowing NEVER solves problems...it only exacerbates it. How do you expect to pay it back? Continue to raise taxes? there is no more space in town to add another big box store to get all of ~ $20k as a tax ratable. I think you need to review some basis economics websites...going further into debt is absolutely not the answer...however, you are free to contribute more than the town says you have to, if you want...
Mortimer Snurd
12:13 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
GB Shore: Borrowing is solving my problems caused by the township, county, and state's lack of a plan for Coastal protection. All of us older folks on SS are a wind fall profit to the community. Spend and tax. Are township employees required to live in the township that they serve? Best of luck to all the survivors. Your correct assessment of throwing money at a failing school district ain't the way to go. Get involved help save Lacey.
GB Shore
10:22 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
@Mortimer...sorry for your troubles but I stand by my comment that borrowing did not, does not and will not solve our problems. You hit the nail on the head....this is about planning. Reality, we can't trust our elected officials. all we can do is plan for ourselves as best we can. Sometimes, we do not control our own actions and are forced to do things we do not want to do. So all we can do is be involved, do our homework to learn the true facts and make the best decisions we can make based on the facts. I am involved as much as I can be. Others are front and center and at time get vilified, like Mrs. Discenza and others. Yet, we still have the same folks who are connected running things around here and calling the shots...
Bob Smith
10:16 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
NO throwing money into education is not the solution. Highering better educated teachers is. Besides stop paying for all their cozy benefits and let them have to pay like everyone else. I tried to make a difference two years ago in this town and those teachers are militant and things are only going to change is all of the citizens march on the school board and say I am made as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!!! When that happens all hell will break lose and action will take place. The public needs to make the teachers and administration stand down to the public who is fitting the bill...
chtulu2000
11:02 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Bob...that's just ridiculous. How about paying teachers oer their responsibility...a fulltime manager at Roy Rogers earns just as much as a starting teacher and they flip burgers, while the teacher guides the future of this country. Evaulate them sticter, hold them to a higher standard, but to imply they should make less or have less is not smart, especially since you want the best. You cannot demand the best, but pay below the best.
T.H.
12:34 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
"$186,000 for travel and expenses up from $82,500 in 2012" really?? I can't afford to leave the yard forget travel...and $500,000 for salaries?? I have to pay for BOE to have insurance when I don't have any for myself...something is really wrong with this picture..
William J Moss
1:09 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I remember when Regina DISCENZA argued at school board meetings that the solar Renewable Energy Credits would not last . This was over 3 years ago . It looks like she knows what she is talking about .If you want changes she looks like the one who can do it there goes 450.608.00 loss . I think Regina may be elected if she runs again .I sure as he-- hope so.
T.H.
5:40 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
W.J. Moss..I know why LMUA raised the rates even if it is a bs reason I find it another mute point considering they bill us for water we don't even use! I was billed for water when I wasn't even in state for several months! After arguing w the clerk, proof in hand, I finally gave up and just paid the bill..so what will going to the meeting do??? Im tired of all of it and like many others want out.
JOHNNY Done it
6:26 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Geez The BOE got more money from the state now from us They need more doctors in the Board we seem to be bleeding out money some where...Lets get a few more doctorites in there so we can send the increases to the managements salaries... Like a business in the real world Time to cut some of the managers
JOHNNY Done it
6:38 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The other option cut the beneifits or making them based on salary From the highest paying more of the portion of there part of the benefits The school board elected position should be without benefits (just like an elected town committee)
chtulu2000
11:02 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
They do that already Johnny...Christie made it a state law that staff will pay a percentage of their premium costs based on their salary.
JOHNNY Done it
12:44 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
to chtulu 2000 not enough & on a sliding scale not a fixed percentage
proud
7:06 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The article states:
........."Over the last three years, the district has earned revenue in excess of $1 million each year. Due to the drop in SREC value, the district will earn approximately $200,000 in the upcoming year.
“I’m hearing they’ll go back up. They’ll never go back up to where they were,” Savage said. “We did not know it was going to drop that badly. But we’re still making money.”..........
So, in fact what the board is doing is speculating--with bonded funds no less . What's next? Pork Belly futures?
JOHNNY Done it
12:13 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The comment on SREC value statement by savage Shows how much they looked into these SREC value long term.... Lets see supply & demand There are so many of these solar panels going up to flood the market ,, May be they should have calculated a lower number so they would have got more in the beginning ( being ahead of the game) them evened out, Instead of being behind the 8 ball now. But it dont matter they were good salesman when the sold it to the taxpayers they left this part..... It is easy to gamble with taxpayer money & lose it doesn't cost them,, They will just raise your taxes... SO much for accountability..........
Regina Discenza
10:22 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Nice comments however as said- MEANS NOTHING HERE!
****GO TO MEETINGS- PLEASE! ***** TRY!!
Trust me, no one could be angrier about this budget than me. Soon the BOE will need to issue sedatives with their budget to prevent medical incidents. The taxpayers are not a bottomless $$,$$$,$$$.$$ pit. (Borrowing Mr. Hoebee's line from about 7 years ago!!) Haven't we been milked enough?? Solar project was supposed to cover future expenses, the bond payments and keep the budget LEVEL. All that rhetoric out the window- but it is on tape/disc if anyone would like to review what was said YEARS ago. Promises, promises....
FILE YOUR TAX APPEAL NOW!! EVERYONE IN LACEY is OVERASSESSED. BEAT THE TAX INCREASE!!
Bob Smith
1:55 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
when are the people of this town going to wake up!! This is outrageous and make those teachers pay for their silly health benefits!! Our School Board has done us one dis-service after another and now this slap in the face with a 4.3% increase they must be totally out of their minds. The people of this town better rise up and over throw this insane group that puts forward budgets like this. I would like to see the teachers union do the right thing for the people just for once and start paying their fair share of their health insurance costs which should be 50% or cut their health benefits in half. This is unsustainable and we have got to take control of this out of control spending once and for all!!
GB Shore
1:25 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
BOE and Teachers' UNION...they are the ones who "negotiate"....
tr
10:46 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
These are all great concerns. Now get some guts and show up at the meeting and say it where it counts! The only way to get action from the BOE is demand teacher layoffs and larger class sizes to offset increases. The union will then and only then give concessions. No tax raises without off setting expense reductions!!! If I am in town on that date, I will be there to tell them myself. Guess they better fasten their seat belts.
GB Shore
1:25 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
People have been trying for years....they sit up there (just like the town committee) and shake their heads and do what they want...they say they care but their actions prove that they have their own agenda.
Bob Smith
1:09 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
I did just that two years ago. Meeting after meeting both with the school board and township committee. The problem is the voters in this town are apathetic and I blame them now for the mess we are in. if your dont change the situation things are never going to get better.
Favorite Teacher
11:25 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
4.9% is unacceptable, especially with a DECREASE in students and an INCREASE in administrators. Don't forget not ONE school was opened as a shelter during Sandy's mandatory evacuations. MILLIONS of our tax dollars for solar panels and we can't use our own buildings for shelter? I asked our twp. administrator Veronica Laureigh why we didn't open the schools for shelter during Sandy? She explained that there weren't batteries installed to isolate the solar power from the grid and redirect it to the buildings... smh... She also said that we didn't have any generators at the schools, and they cost 200k and the Red Cross hadn't given us a free generator... REALLY? I asked her do we need to ask the Red Cross' permission to use our own buildings? We don't answer to the Red Cross! Let's see who shows up to the meeting Monday, March 18 Board of Education Meeting, I'm guessing the same three dedicated people....
Budget Presentation 7:30 PM LTHS Lecture Hall
http://lacey.patch.com/articles/architects-detail-school-energy-projects-following-questions-from-residents
John F
10:41 am on Saturday, March 23, 2013
What happened to the 2% cap? The governor allowed an acception because of the storm now look what happened!! The wolves were invited to the hen house for dinner...It's repulsive !!! It's also a crime we have to police & monitor the very people we voted in office..