Administrators See Budget Passage as Signal to Move Forward

Now that the budget has passed, administration is enthusiastic about the school district’s future and is aggressively moving forward on the new initiatives of focus for the next school year.

“I think that [the passing of the budget] is a reflection of the hard work that was done by everybody in the district,” Assistant Superintendent Vanessa Clark said. “A lot of parents were not aware of what goes into the Lacey Township School District budget and what was at stake.”

Yesterday, Lacey voters approved the tax levy of $39,413,121 in support of the school board’s $68,886,794 budget by 57 percent.

A total of 3,954 residents out of 18,366 registered voters came out to the polls, a number that surprised school district Business Administrator James Savage. Typically the school election attracts 14 to 18 percent of registered voters, but this election drew 21.5 percent.

“The reason for the large vote turnout, and certainly the number of affirmative votes is the concern that Lacey Township has always had for the education of their children,” Superintendent Richard Starodub said.

More positive interest was generated as a result of financial and political pressures, Starodub said.

Starodub noted that this is the highest number of “yes” votes on the school budget in the history of the school district.

“I refer to it as the “wisdom” of the voters,” Starodub said. “People in Lacey care about education. They want their children to succeed and to support them to do that. They saw a need and came out with greater passion.”

Clark credited the district’s “Did You Know” presentation to increasing awareness of the budget, where the schools currently stand among the state, and what was at stake if the budget was defeated.

The school district faced elimination of programs, the possibility of moving towards a pay to play system for extracurricular activities, and the inability to implement much needed initiatives, Clark said.

“There was a lot at stake,” Clark said. “For everything that we put on hold, for example the computers at the middle school, then that’s another year for mill pond, and the elementary schools have to be put on hold. We just can’t afford to keep putting things on hold. It’s taking away from our kids and their education.”

Included in the budget were funds set aside for a new elementary math program, an upgrade to the computers in the middle school, and a reading program for struggling readers primarily for the lower levels.

Clark has already been on the phone, moving forward on the purchase of Apple computers for the middle school. The transition to Apples will take place during the summer.

School administration has been meeting with committees, teachers, and math companies to work on choosing a new math series for the past year, Clark said. Now it is just a matter of reconvening and making a final decision.

Professional development for the new math series will also take place this summer.

As for the reading program, the school district had already decided on Scholastic, which has high watermarks and is proven to be effective, Clark said.

Administration still needs to decide whether the program will be web-based or housed in district. But now they can simply make the purchase and implement the program, Clark said.

“We’re very happy,” Clark said regarding the passing of the school budget. “It’s just taking the steps to make [the programs] happen now,” Clark said.

Starodub said the school district has its work cut out for them now that the budget passed.

The school district will be looking to replace personnel who are scheduled to retire, Starodub said.

“Personnel is the key,” Starodub said. “We are going to be looking to get the best possible candidates to teach our children.”

The district plans to move quickly on seeking candidates since they will be competing with surrounding school districts, Starodub said.

The supervisor for special education can now move forward on getting staff in place for the summer special needs program as well, Starodub said.

Administration and staff can also start putting together their requests for supplies and materials so they will arrive on time for the next school year, Starodub said.

“In the event that the budget doesn’t pass, these things get delayed and puts a month behind in terms of readiness activity,” Starodub said. “We are in a stronger position to not only secure the best possible staff we can but to work towards an efficient school opening for next year.”

In spite of the financial crises that the township, state, and country are facing, the community realized education is still important, Clark said.

“I think the parents in this community are extremely proud of their school system. I think that’s a major reason why people move to the township, because of the Lacey schools. They probably decided if they didn’t do something to protect the good reputation of the school district then it would fall by the wayside,” Clark said.

“It’s just a matter of pride. That’s our slogan, “It’s a matter of pride,”” Clark said. “It’s a very prideful community and it shows.”