Millville Board of Education Passes Budget

PREVIOUS YEAR NEW YEAR

TOTAL BUDGET $99,474,746 $96,747,208

TAX RATE 66.5-cents 68.5-cents

AMT RAISED BY TAXES $8,803,739 $9,792,246

SURPLUS FUNDS none none

REMAINING SURPLUS* <2-percent> <2-percent>

TAX FOR HOME ASSESSED AT $125,000 $831.25/yr $856.25/yr

TOTAL CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION $45,592,171 $48,821,778

TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS $36,507,690 $34,839,682

The proposed 2008-09 budget of $96.7 million shaves more than $2.5 million from the current budget. Despite the cuts, the budget includes a 2-cent tax increase, class-size increases and the delay of eventual technological upgrades.

State funding - Millville received roughly $1.3 million in additional state aid - was sighted as the primary reason for Millville's budget woes

There was some good news as Bryce Kell, the district's business administrator, reported that Millville's request for a tax waiver was approved by the state.

The waiver, which allows Millville to propose a tax increase of more than 4 percent, was necessary to keep the number of employees needed to be let go to 40. Officials said that number would likely have been higher had the tax waiver not been approved.

Superintendent Shelly Schneider said during Tuesday night's public hearing on the budget.

"You will not see any growth to programs," she said. "In fact, due to fixed costs, cost of living, increased pension contributions and increases in salaries, we needed to make serious cuts. In fact, there will be a need for tax increases, tuition increases, larger class sizes and cuts in programs and positions."

The budget calls for the elimination of 40 positions and a 2-cent tax rate hike, the first school tax rate increase in six years, said Bryce Kell, business administrator.

Money originally slated for school-sponsored activities, health services, and general and school administration services will be slashed under the proposed, according to the list of proposed appropriations for next school year.

"School-sponsored activities" refers to Gifted and Talented after-school programs and will decrease from $20,000 to nothing on the proposed budget, Kell said.

Millville Schools and the Community

Do you remember the Principal from Wood School at the Community meeting about gangs??
He mentioned using the schools for activities for kids. Here is a good nugget from the school
district website

SERIES 1000 1330: COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL

COMMUNITY RELATIONS FACILITIES and APPLICATION

The Millville Board of Education strongly supports the concept of community use of school facilities. There are many areas in which it is important for school buildings to be used, including:

· Community Adult Education

· Continuing Education

· High School Equivalency Programs

· Vocational Education

· Recreational Programs

· School use outside of regular school hours

· Use by community organizations

· Use by business and industry

· Concerts, plays, lectures, forensics, etc.

· Any other use that promotes the well being of the citizens of the community

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR THE USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

1. Obtain application form from the School Administration Offices.

2. Read all the Rules and Regulations carefully so that you understand and can comply with all Requirements.

3. Fill out the application form completely and submit it to the Millville Board of Education, 110 North Third Street, Millville, NJ 08332.

4. Detach this section containing the Rules and Regulations and retain it for your guidance.

5. Do not make any further arrangements or commitments involving the school facilities until your application is approved and you receive your approved copy.

2. Read all the Rules and Regulations carefully so thatville, NJ 08332.

4. Detach this section containing the Rules and Regulations and retain it for your guidance.

5. Do not make any further arrangements or commitments involving the school facilities until your application is approved and you receive your approved copy.

The We Tip Program

The Millville Schools are in the We Tip Program. Go to the Millville Schools
website and see the small link that says WeTip

WeTip's School Safety Program is a unique nationwide program designed to provide a way for students and staff to give information anonymously regarding school crime.

• Their mission is to protect children from crime and criminals.
• Their goal is to educate school personal and school students about WeTip and the ways to be proactive in creating a safer school environment using WeTip.
  The Phone is 1 800-78-CRIME
  1 800 -782-7463