Phillipsburg school budget passes public hearing without resistance

PHILLIPSBURG | The final public reading of next year's school budget escaped public ire, despite cutting up to 43 staff positions and funding for field trips.

To bridge a $2.3 million gap in the $51.5 million budget, the district plans to slash 25 certified staff across the district and, as part of a state mandate, eliminate 18 full-time and part-time aides. The $65,000 fund for district-sponsored field trips also will be abolished.

The budget, which will not include any tax rate increase, is set for a public vote April 21. The school board approved the spending plan Monday.

School Business Administrator William Bauer said the district will apply for an additional $500,000 in supplemental state Abbott funding to try to salvage positions and programs.

"The one glimmer of hope that we have is supplemental funding," Bauer said.

The new figure could help bring back about 96 positions, some of which were eliminated during last year's budget cuts, and most program cuts. The district will not know until summer if it has been awarded any of the $6.6 million it has applied for.

"Are we are going to get all this? That's a battle that remains in front of us," Bauer said.

Residents asked Monday about the stimulus money the district has been promised, but Bauer said those figures also remain vague.

"It's out there, but don't ask me when we're getting it or how much it actually is," he said.

The supplemental aid would continue, at least for three years, for Phillipsburg and other Abbott districts under recommendations last week to the state Supreme Court from a jurist charged with investigating increased funding for New Jersey's poorest districts.

Superintendent Mark B. Miller said early indications are that the Supreme Court will rule on the Abbott case in late April.

Miller said the aid likely wouldn't be awarded until the court has ruled and officials learn what the future holds for Abbott districts.

"At that time, we'll know more about how far supplemental funding will be taken to," Miller said. "We are waiting on the Supreme Court's decision on this matter.

"This could be as early as late May, as late as July or maybe even longer."

Bauer said the decisions on funding might revolve around this decision.

"We don't know if the state will start negotiating with us then," he said. "It's kind of in their ballpark now."

School board President Paul Rummerfield reminded the public that a lack of stimulus or supplemental funding will in no way affect construction of the new high school.

"The Phillipsburg High School is already funded," Rummerfield said.

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Reporter Sarah Wojcik can be reached at 610-258-7171, ext. 3631, or by e-mail at swojcik@express-times.com.