1. Readington Township School District Budget Presentation
to the board of education
April 12, 2016

2. Budget Goals
Present a budget at or below the 2% state-imposed cap on tax levy without negatively impacting students’ academic experiences.
Balance class size guidelines with scheduling efficiencies
Enrich students’ academic experiences
Continue to implement the district’s Strategic Plan
Enhance students’ social, global, and intellectual engagement.
Create a vibrant learning environment for students and staff.
Create a culture of collaborative partnerships in and around our community.
Ensure institutional and financial sustainability in the face of economic and demographic challenges.

3. Enrollment Forecast for 2016-17
Readington Township School District
Enrollment Forecast for
Anticipated PreK through 8 enrollment = 1631
(1674 this year)
Ten out-of-district (anticipated) students not included in this number
Demographer’s Projection: 1632
Need to update this slide.

4. Budgeted Enrollment History

5. Budget Items Fall Under Two Categories
Guide Payroll 2.56% increase
$378,334.00
Non-Discretionary (Mandated)
Items mandated by contract or state/federal mandates
Salaries and Benefits (negotiated)
Special Education Program Requirements
Student Transportation Costs
School Building Energy Costs
Local Control
Staffing
Technology and Textbooks
Professional Development (partial discretion)
Classroom Instructional Supplies
Equipment (all types)
Extra-curricular programs for students (sports, clubs)
Building maintenance (partial discretion)
Increase in health benefits in budget = 1.7%

6. Portion of Operating Budget

7. Anticipated Elementary Class Size
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
19.5 at TBS
19.5 at WHS
17 at TBS
17 at WHS
17.5 at TBS
18.8 at WHS
23 per class
Kindergarten enrollment as of Tuesday, April 12:
67 at Three Bridges School and 49 at Whitehouse School

8. Positions Eliminated or Reduced
Six certificated positions reduced as a result of enrollment
Three (3) of the six positions are resignations /retirements that will not be filled
One additional position reduced to .5 at the request of the staff member
+ Approximately $24,180 difference between retiring/resigning staff and new hires at a lower salary level
= $410,830 in anticipated overall personnel reductions

9. Proposed Additions
Two additional shared Kindergarten Aides – one per primary school – to be monitored and evaluated throughout the school year.
$38, estimated salary for two additional aides
New elective classes at RMS for rising 7th and 8th graders:
Sustainability Innovation and Design Art
Creative Writing Financial Literacy Coding
General Music Current Events
Uses existing faculty with no impact to the budget.
Instrumental lessons to begin in 4th grade.
Use existing faculty with no impact to the budget.

10. Total Taxes including Debt Service
Readington Township School District
Total Taxes including Debt Service
Budget Year
Total Taxes
Difference $
Difference %
$29,157,442
- $1,031,675 %
$29,592,975
- $435,533 %
$29,609,399
+ $16,424
0.055%
$28,780,939
- $828,460
-2.798%
$28,764,420
-$16,519
-0.057%
$28,680,635
-$83,785
-0.291%
0.000%
$29,016,549
+$335,914
1.171%

11. State Aid and Tax Levy – General Fund
Budget Year
State Aid
Tax Levy
$1,406,350
$27,038,539
$509,929
$27,703,081
$824,702
$27,426,050
$1,369,600
$26,586,701
$26,582,012
$1.402,420
$1,402,420
$26,643,599
$1,424,790
$26,906,853

12. 2016-17 School Budget Tax Impact
On the average home assessed at: $360,800.
Equates to approximately $37.00 increase over the year

13. Proposed Tax Rate YEAR TAX RATE AVERAGE TAX 2010 – 11 $1.0373
$4070 on average assessed home of $392,400.
2011 – 12
$1.0765
$4052 on average assessed home of $376,400.
$1.087
$3995 on average assessed home of $367,300.
$1.085
$3905 on average assessed home of $360,000
$1.0773
$3,877 on average assessed home of $359,900
$1.1012
$3,974 on an average assessed home of $360,900
$1.1113
$4,010 on an average assessed home of $360,800