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Working to Reach Our Goals

2009-2010 BUDGET

WATCHUNG BOROUGHPUBLIC SCHOOLSQuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

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BOARD OF EDUCATION

Karen Cassidy, PresidentSusan Diana, Vice PresidentKathleen CaldasAaron CampbellBradley DeLamielleureMary Lou DiRosaCharles NeissKim OttoWendy Robinson

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ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Mary Louise Malyska, SuperintendentDianne Faucher, Board Secretary / Business

AdministratorMary Nunn, Principal of Bayberry SchoolCharles Miller, Principal of Valley View

SchoolDr. Barbara Resko, Director of Special

Services, Curriculum, Grants, and Staff Development

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The Board of Education’s Objectives for the 2009-2010 school budget are to:

• Improve upon our excellent academic standards and programs

• Maintain reasonable class size• Present a challenging curriculum in

preparation for high school• Create a responsible budget

for our schools with minimal monetary impact on taxpayers

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Watchung District Goals

1. To implement curricular initiatives and staff development opportunities to advance student performance.

2. To increase and improve communications with the community.

3. To implement sustainable energy practices.

4. To improve efficiencies resulting in reduced tax impact.

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EXPENDITURES GENERAL FUND

$1,986,061Employee Benefits

$250,837Capital Outlay

$6,791,977Classroom Instruction /Student Support

$939,749Administration

$1,240,707Operations / Maintenance

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Classroom Instruction and Student Support

• Regular Instruction $3,656,359• Special Education $1,988,758• Pupil Transportation $401,995• Nurses & Physician $118,510• Guidance $162,733• School Media Centers $308,325• Improvement Instruction $133,447• Staff Training $21,850 TOTAL $6,791,977

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Instructional Improvements

• New Full-time Math Position at Valley View to Replace LAL and Computer Teacher

• A Full-time Teacher of German• One Additional Special Education Teacher at

Valley View• Additional Co-curricular and Athletics Activities• Additional Staff Development

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Instructional Improvements

• New Math Position at Valley View • New German Texts• Additional Music Instruments at Bayberry• Additional Music Instruments at Valley View• New Gym Equipment at Valley View and

Bayberry

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Instructional Improvements• Additional Special Education Aides

• Additional Teacher Workshops

• Continuing Speakers for Staff Development

• Test Review Materials and Programs

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Other Cost Drivers• Additional PERS Pension Liability

• Special Education Transportation Contractor Increase

• Bathroom Renovations at Valley View and Bayberry

• Pre-K Special Education Tuition

• Valley View Art Room Steel Shelving

• Valley View Furniture Requests (Desk, Chairs, Table, Whiteboards)

• Valley View Shed for Storage

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AdministrationAdministration

• General $376,801• School $351,559• Business $201,389• Information Technology $10,000

TOTAL $939,749

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Operations and Maintenance

• Maintenance $102,560

• Operation of Facilities $1,138,147

TOTAL $1,240,707

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BUDGET EFFICIENCIES• Energy Audit - State Grant

Program

• Energy Purchase Consortium - ACES natural gas and electric

• Shared Services

- Transportation jointures

- Insurance pool - liability and worker’s compensation

- Cooperative purchasing

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BUDGET COST-SAVING MEASURESThe Board of Education continues to explore cost-saving measures. Shared partnerships are sought at the local, the county, and the state levels as follows:

• Participation in E-Rate (Educational Rate Program for savings on telecommunications)• Participation as a member in the Diploma Joint Insurance Fund program to reduce

insurance costs• Shared professional development training costs with other school districts that results in

savings to the district• Acceptance of special education tuition students from other public school districts that

results in reduced education costs• Cooperative ventures with other public school districts to transport out-of-district special

education students to reduce transportation costs• Participation in ACT (Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications) to reduce telephone

costs• Triple-tier bus routes for regular education, a shared service with Watchung Hills

Regional High School• Cooperative agreement with 29 districts through MUJC for staff development,

transportation, and curriculum enhancements.• $500,000 Grant from MUJC

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REVENUE ANALYSISGENERAL FUND

• Local Tax Levy $9,606,630 85.70%• Withdrawal from

Capital Reserve $247,250 2.21%• Budgeted Fund Bal. $636,827 5.68%• Miscellaneous $52,800 0.47%• State Aid $665,825 5.94% __________________• TOTAL $11,209,332100.00%

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The Borough experienced a decrease in its taxable property base. The tax levy increase this year will be 1.66%, which is an increase of just $70 on the average Watchung Residence.

We are below CAP, requesting no additional monies through waivers.

We will maintain efficiencies at every level of our budgeted expenditures.

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Remember to Vote!Polls are open between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOLVALLEY VIEW SCHOOL

APRIL 21, 2009

• Three Three-year Terms on the Board of Education

THE BUDGET BALLOT QUESTION

RESOLVED, that there should be raised for General Funds $9,606,630 for the ensuing school

year (2009 - 2010).

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