In keeping with the wishes of the Board of Education’s Business & Finance Committee and what was discussed and underscored at the Board meeting on January 25, 2011, the administration will craft a budget for 2011-2012 that reduces spending by the better part of $1.5 million. Spending cuts will begin with areas that have the least impact on classroom activities for students.
Reductions to spending, including cuts to non-instructional areas and the elimination of 29.5 positions, have already been made over the last two years as the district faced a $6.3 million loss of revenue. However, more cuts are necessary. It is the goal of this Board of Education and administration to maintain our academic and co-curricular programs because, along with our faculty, they are what have made us a great school system.
Below please find a list of cuts and reductions that have occurred over the last year:
- Administration:
- Administrative positions eliminated for 2010-2011 school year: Assistant Principal at Voorhees, District Facilities Manager and Assistant School Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary. In 2009-2010, the secretary in facilities office and an accounts payable position were eliminated at the district level.
- Administrators Association, Superintendent, and most non-union staff took 6 month wage freezes in 2010-2011 school year.
- Cut salary in half for Treasurer of School Monies for 2010-2011 school year
- According to Department of Education’s 2010 Comparative Spending Guide, salaries and benefits of administration in NH-V district are at the median when compared against 46 other similar 7-12/9-12 districts (half of districts are higher, half of districts are lower).
- Teaching and Support Staffs:
- Eliminated 14.5 certificated staff positions (teachers, counselors) and 12 support staff positions (secretaries, aides, custodians) for 2010-2011 school year.
- Eliminated many assistant coaching positions for 2010-2011 school year. Some staff members have volunteered their time to coach.
- Co-curricular activity budget line was reduced by $30,000 at each school resulting in less clubs and/or advisors.
- According to 2010 Comparative Spending Guide, teaching and support staff salaries for NH-V district are at the median when compared against 46 other similar 7-12/9-12 districts.
- Previous contract of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Education Association expired on June 30, 2010. Negotiations are ongoing. If a wage freeze or concessions are negotiated with the Education Association, jobs may be saved.
- Supervisors Association:
- New three-year contract signed in 2010. Supervisors agreed to give up summer sabbaticals and take on more teaching time. These concessions paid for their 3% salary increases, resulting in no increase to district’s budget.
- Other Areas:
- Freshman Discovery Program was reduced from a three-day program to a one day orientation.
- Elimination of in-house summer school. Summer school is run by Hunterdon County Education Services Commission for all county students.
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Technology and athletic supplies budget lines were reduced.
- Construction services budget line was reduced by 74%.
- District continues to jointly bid transportation routes with elementary districts, which saves money for both parties. For 2010-2011 school year, the number of athletic trips was reduced, which saved about $100,000 in transportation costs and stipends for game officials.
- District changed its prescription plan provider in January 2011, saving about $100,000
- District has entered into a contract with Honeywell International to implement an energy savings plan. Any upgrades outlined in the plan will be paid for with savings seen in utility bills, resulting in no increased cost to taxpayers.
In addition to the list above, a document listing our cost savings initiatives over the last two years has been posted to our budget webpage (https://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/boe-district-services/2011-2012-budget/).
2011-2012 Budget Development –
The high school district is facing at least a $1.3 million shortfall prior to developing the 2011-2012 budget, which is the residual effect of a state aid cut in the 2009-2010 school year. This shortfall could be greater if the district does not receive the same amount of state aid it did for this year. State aid figures will be released after the Governor’s budget address on February 22.
Virtually every aspect of the high school district’s operations is under scrutiny by the district and building administration teams. Staffing will be further examined in the coming few weeks as course scheduling for the 2011-2012 school year is now complete. Once the number of courses and sections needed is determined, the administration may make recommendations on staffing cuts. Again, all areas are being reviewed and discussed in order to cut at least $1.3 million. At this point in time, no budget cuts are concrete. We will inform our parents, staff and residents once a list of cuts has been finalized.
