Washington
tax increase going before the voters
Monday, March 28, 2005 • By ANDREA
EILENBERGER • The Express-Times
WASHINGTON -- Residents will be asked to approve a $6.9
million school spending plan for next year on April 19.
The school board's plan -- which is $133,000 more than
last year's budget approved by voters -- includes a tax rate
increase of 2.75 cents per $100 of assessed value, making
the tax rate 94.75 cents.
If the 2005-06 budget is approved, the owner of a home
assessed at the borough's average of $141,000 would pay $38
more in school taxes.
State legislation passed over the summer limiting
surpluses and imposing spending caps forced the board to cut
the 2004-05 budget by $122,000 after voters approved the
original plan, Superintendent Lance Rosza said. The
legislation capped the amount of surplus at 3 percent of the
budget for 2004-05 and 2 percent for 2005-06 and
beyond.
"This plan is a restoration of last year's approved
budget with an additional $11,000," Rosza said.
The board plans to raise $3,558,204 in local taxes --
$206,988 of that amount will go toward a previously approved
debt service payment.
Board members are critical of the state legislation and
said it was passed "in the 11th hour," after residents
already approved the board's budget.
"The state basically negated the taxpayers' vote," Rosza
said.
Four full-time positions were cut to accommodate the
budget slash, including one counselor, one teacher and two
aides.
"We were really trying to maintain personnel, and we are
able to this year," said board member Mark Kaspereen. "We
won't have to cut any education programs."
Rosza said most of the plan's increases are fixed costs,
including utilities, insurance and contracted salary
increases of between 3 and 3 percent.
"We had a major building project done last year, and
with flat-funding for the last few years it has been a
trial," said board member Dan Mazelis.
He said he is grateful for the service of the Parent
Teacher Organization and other volunteers, who pay for some
field trips and other programs.
"It would be nice to see the school being able to
provide for more of these things," he said.
Rosza said the board had kept between 4 and 5 percent in
the surplus in case of unexpected costs. Under the new plan,
the board plans to keep $116,000 in surplus.
Rosza said he worries the surplus could be depleted
quickly if there is an unanticipated expense, such as a
boiler breakdown or a jump in special education
enrollment.
Board members said not many residents are aware of the
state's new budget limits and the strain it puts on
staffing, educational programming and other areas.
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at
908-475-8044 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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