School Budget Presentation on 4/14/2009 (Tue)

[Guest 2]

I stand corrected on the accounting issue.

As far as how much our taxes will go up -- we will all pay $100's more per year -- the previous poster said he would pay $20 more per MONTH.

[Guest]

If the budget is vetoed it is simply reviewed. It does not cease to exist, there is no panic alarm, the school does not suddenly lose it's Blue Ribbon status, teachers are not fired, the gangs don't move in, and all the bad things don't happen. The expenses are simply reviewed to determine what if anything can be cut. The fact that people are so ardent to say yes gives me the belief that there is room in the budget to remove things, but that people don't want a second review. I have seen budgets fail go to a township committee or council and be approved as is because there was no room. Why the fear of a review here?

I wonder why these posters arguing yes don't believe a second set of eyes looking at the budget is a good idea.

[Guest 2]

Why the need for a second review? I know and trust my Board of Ed. members (I have taken the time to know them) and I have educated myself in how the budget is devised and I follow it year by year. I can vote yes because I have reviewed the budget and I approve of it. That's why we have a vote.

You propose that we automatically vote no so that another group of elected officials can review it again. I don't see the need.

[Guest]

I have reviewed it to and believe there is room to lower the cost using things such as the above mentioned money from last year or library rent being used rather than increase costs. Another set of eyes may remove some expenses or may not. If you are so set that it's fair you'd have no issue if it were reviewed. After all no expenses would be cut.

[Guest]

If people REALLY wanted to review it, they should have gone to one of the two meetings. That was the purpose of the meetings. One was held in the evening, one was held during the day so there was a choice of times for the public. John Haney, who is the administrator/principal, is more than willing to answer questions about the budget. The school phone number is 395-1700. I suggest anyone who has questions call him.

[Guest2]

Regarding lowering taxes. Money for last year's capital improvement was already spent -- no matter how you account for it, it can't be spent twice.

Secondly the library rent IS being used. Did you look at the Miscellaneous income line -- notice how it increased dramatically this year -- pretty sure that is the library rent.

Again -- you should have done your homework earlier and asked the questions then. By the way, you can still e-mail the Board of Ed and ask these questions, they are very nice people and I'm sure they would answer your questions.

[Guest]

I have read the budgets and the meetings discuss the plan. The vote is our say in yes or no.

Again, the 300,000 was spent last year, but the increase in last year's budget of 300,000 was still here this year when that work was completed. That means starting this year's budget cycle the budget should be last year's minus 300,000 to which we then start to look at what increases are necessary. So before we even started the discussion we had 300,000 of room just maintaining our tax rate. Clearly the money was spent last year and clearly the same roof does not need to be done again.
Then the library rent further enlargens the number.

What our BOE has done is looked at this as an opportunity IMO. The rent and the roof money was simply absorbed. So our school expense increase is 300,000 plus library rent plus our tax increase.

The more people say we don't need a separate set of eyes with the power to adjust the more I feel it is a necessity.

I don't disagree that Mr. Haney is a good person. However, his charge is to get the budget passed and to increase services and programs. He is not a tax payer in Cranbury. The BOE is also run by volunteers, but people who want to grow the school. The same type of people who say I'll gladly pay 250 more a year.

If there is nothing to hide and every expense is justified then the TC will not reduce it. My guess is that you don't believe your own words that the budget is as slim as possible and want it passed as is becuase under a review you know it will get reduced. Otherwise, you'd have no concern with a review.

[Guest]

[Guest]

The 300,000 for the roof last year was used and the roof repair was completed. This year they are asking for more money to do other parts of the school roof. The point remains that the 300,000 for last year's roof repair is still in today's budget even though the 300,000 earmarked for the repair was used to make the repair it was intended to go toward.

Either way, the 300,000 from last year is still in the budget this year beig used for other things when it was asked for as a one time expense to do the one roof repair.

[Guest 2]

Here is the link for the budget presentation.

http://portal.cranburyschool.org/boe/Budget%20Info/Budget%20Presentation.pdf

Please note that the approx. $650,000 Capital outlay project is for the second part of the roof project along with the construction of a "pole barn" for storage. The entire $650,000 is being paid for out of the capital reserve fund (since they are long term capital projects). The approx. $376,000 was a project done and paid for in last years budget.

The library money is part of the Miscellaneous revenue.

The budget is formulated independent of last year's budget. In other words, all projected expenses are formulated and a total "cost" for the year is arrived at. Then the revenue side is calculated -- based on state/federal aide (not a lot), miscellaneous income, and whatever will be used from the capital funds -- the amount not covered is the amount that needs to be raised in taxes and that is divided by the ratables in town to come up with a tax rate.

The capital projects are being paid for from the capital fund -- so they don't figure into the budget and of course the capital fund cannot be used to fund operating expenses -- so there you go. I don't see where you can cut.

Look over the presentation - it is pretty good.

[Guest]

[Guest 2]

So your point is that the school board should make a budget and even if the majority agree it is good, for good measure we should all vote no so it gets another look see just in case???????? So what was the point of the whole budget process, public meetings, and election.

You think we should just skip the election where the voters get to vote directly and automatically make the Township Committee review it again.
Because essentially you are saying that my vote of yes as an informed citizen should count less than the Township Committee's review. No thanks, I like the voters voting and I say it is great as is and and I want it passed. I already did my due diligence.

[Still have no idea how you figure the roof thing -- ]

[Guest]

No, I am saying we each get a vote. But if you truly believe the budget to be sound then you shouldn't worry about it being passed. If I disagree with the budget and vote no, then you should have no issue because you feel it that all expenses are necessary and valid. If the budget is in fact as you say then it should not be reduced by the TC. You lose nothing if your statements are correct.

If as I feel it is not appropriate and is reduced by the TC then

clearly the budget was not as you said. So, you have nothing to lose unless you are not sure and fear cuts will be made.

The roof is simple math.

The needed 376K last year so they increased the rate to get 376K.

The roof was repaired and the 376K was spent. It should have been a one time tax raise.

The 376K is still in the budget this year, but being reallocated to other things. It is not being used to reduce our taxes.

Instead the BOE said here is our tax revenue received and money coming in. The sole intent of the 376K was for one thing and one thing alone. So our taxes should have been lowered by 376K when they started the budget planning process. It was not.

[Guest]

Here is some simple math. The roof project is over spending goes down 376k. Hoorah. Unfortunately, Princeton tuition goes up, the number of kids we send to princeton goes up, healthcare goes up, and they are continuing a roofing project. Guess what that is more than 376k. ceteris paribus you would be correct, but in the real world all of these parameters keep changing.

[Guest 2]

I like your simple math.

[Guest]

Fine. Vote yes. I'll vote no and hope enough people are concerned that they want a simple review before forking over 250 more a year.

When we have 376K, plus rent from the library our BOE should not need an average of 240 more a year per home.