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The minutes of the public hearing on the 2010-2011 proposed school district budget of the North Plainfield Board of Education held on March 24, 2010 at West End School, 447 Greenbrook Road, North Plainfield, NJ. Mrs. Bond-Nelson called the meeting to order and made the following announcement: In accordance with NJSA 10:4-10, required advance notice of this meeting was filed with the Borough Clerk; submitted to the COURIER NEWS, STAR LEDGER, AND Comcast; posted at Watchung School, Borough Hall and the North Plainfield Public Library. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Bond-Nelson requested the call of the roll:
Thomas Allen Drew Elliott Smith
David Branan Nancy Szaroleta
Sandra Dodd Linda Bond-Nelson
Kathleen Mullen
A quorum was established
Also present were Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, Superintendent of Schools; Donald Sternberg, Board Secretary/School Business Administrator; and Dr. Robert Rich, Assistant Superintendent, and approximately 225 members of the staff and public.
Presentation
Dr. Birnbaum, Mr. Sternberg, and Dr. Rich presented the proposed 2010-2011 school district budget.
Upon conclusion of the budget presentation the meeting was open to the public for comments as follows:
Mark Williamson asked about election timelines and the process of a defeated budget.
Barbara Ahles commented on administrative costs. Jean Liss commented on various possible contractual concessions. Roger Graubard commented on what the NPEA is reviewing and discussing with the membership. Bianca Butler asked about teacher notification of reductions and the impact to the special education program. Jane Delaney discussed maintaining and developing in-district special education programs. Harry Hooker commented on the community’s need to pass the proposed budget. A member of the community questioned the reduction of special education teachers and the impact of the proposal to bring special education students back to the district. Monique Wilmet asked about the determination process for reducing extra-curricular programs. Derek Hailey asked about regionalization of school services and commented on administrative salaries. Alexis Gardner commented on transparency and expressed concern on the impact of reductions to class size. Alvita Lindsey asked what is a comparable district to North Plainfield. Deanne D’Armiento indicated that the results of a student study were that Willingboro was a comparable district. Josh Levine suggested use of the District website as a communication tool. Mark Williamson commented on the start times and length of Board Meetings. Yvette Boyd commented on creative suggestions for access to Board meetings and asked about reductions to the G&T and music staff. Cathy Kobylarz discussed the G&T Program. Patti Marseglia discussed the use of Learnia, a benchmark program. Amber Henderson asked about class size.
Mrs. Bond-Nelson asked for questions and or comments from the Board. Mr. Allen thanked teachers for the job they are doing and administrators for their guidance on the changes ahead. Mrs. Szaroleta commented on the difficulties ahead and complimented the staff and administration on the jobs they are doing. Mrs. Dodd questioned some reductions and commented on a proposed alternative program. Mr. Branan as amember of the Finance and Facilities Committee stated his confidence in the budget as proposed. Mrs. Mullen commented on budget cuts and asked if there was any possibility of restoration of cuts. Mr. Smith asked for suggestions to residents on voicing their opinions on the budget cuts.
Recommendation from Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved by roll call vote that be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Borough of North Plainfield hereby adopt the following school district budget for the 2010-2011 school year:
General Fund $51,596,224.00
Special Revenue Fund $ 2,317,409.00
Debt Service Fund $ 1,371,660.00
Total Base Budget $55,285,293.00
And be it further resolved, that the following amounts be raised from taxes:
General Fund $26,847,204.00
Debt Service $ 1,366,174.00
Thomas Allen - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
David Branan - Aye Nancy Szaroleta - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Kathleen Mullen - Aye
RESOLUTION URGING FULL FUNDING OF SFRA FORMULA IN FY 2011
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved by roll call vote that be it
WHEREAS, the North Plainfield Board of Education makes every effort to ensure all students have access to a high quality, “Thorough and Efficient” (T&E) educational program as required by the New Jersey Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the North Plainfield School District works diligently to develop and implement a budget that provides the educational programs necessary for all students to meet State academic standards, and prepare students for college and work readiness; and
WHEREAS, the North Plainfield School District uses New Jersey’s new school funding formula -- the School Funding Formula Act of 2008 (SFRA) – as the basis for determining the level of funding needed to provide T&E to its students; and
WHEREAS, the North Plainfield School District received $24,805,219.00 in state aid under the SFRA formula to support its 2009-10 (FY2010) budget; and
WHEREAS, Governor Christie has proposed a State Budget for FY2011 that includes a $1.06 billion, or 13.6%, cut in state SFRA formula aid statewide; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s budget proposal will result in a loss of $2,694,516.00 in state aid in the 2010-2011 budget for North Plainfield School District, which represents 11% of the District’s total state aid amount; and
WHEREAS, the Governor previously cut $476 million in state aid for 2009-2010, and directed districts to use any surplus funds this year, leaving no rainy day funds available to offset the Governor’s proposed state of school districts in order to withhold state aid payments for 2009-2010 to proposed cuts in state aid cut; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s proposed cuts in state aid in FY 2011 will have a severe impact on the provision of necessary programs, staff, services and extracurricular activities, and significantly impair the ability of the North Plainfield School District to ensure T&E to students. Therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the North Plainfield Board of Education strongly urges Governor Christie to rescind the proposed cut in state formula aid and work collaboratively with the Legislature to enact a FY 2011 State Budget that provides aid at the levels required by the SFRA formula.
RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to Governor Christopher Christie, Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, State Senator Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Representatives Linda Stender and Jerry Green.
Thomas Allen - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
David Branan - Aye Nancy Szaroleta - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Mr.Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to adjourn at 10:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald Sternberg
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