NEWS

Prepare for $70 million state aid cut, Vineland school board president urges

Deborah M. Marko
@dmarko_dj

VINELAND - Facing a possible $70 million state aid cut, school board President Scott English urged his colleagues to start preparing now.

“I’m sure a lot of you read about Gov. (Chris) Christie’s Fairness Formula, which doesn’t have much fairness to it,” English said during Wednesday’s special meeting, the board’s first since the plan was unveiled.

In related news: Christie plan would cut millions from local schools

Christie’s proposal calls for allocating all school districts $6,599 per student in state aid. Under this plan, Vineland stands to lose $70 million in state aid.

This fiscal year, Vineland received $136.7 million in state aid, which made up about 80 percent of the 2016-17 budget, which totaled $194.7 million.

“I hear a lot of people through the educational system, they said, “It will never happen,” English said. “My grandfather always told me that’s something you don’t use, that never happen rule.”

The school district is now undergoing its annual audit.

“We usually start working on our budget Oct. 1,” English said.

When budget preparations begin and the board starts to address its anticipated state aid shortfall, English urged them to “treat it as if, God forbid, it’s that $70 million.”

In  other news: VHS South asbestos abatement project on schedule

“It’s a tough number to think about but it could be a reality,” said English, who opted not to seek re-election.

The district’s Business Administrator Helen Haley voiced concerns about how the district could slash $70 million from its budget.

The district is working on settling several contracts, but English said, “You almost want to stop the negotiating period and see what’s this number going to be.”

John Frangipani, the assistant superintendent of administration, summed up the impact of the proposed state cuts in a word.

“Catastrophic,” he said, noting class sizes would increase.

“It would be difficult to have a classroom aide,” he said. “You would have administration cuts, possible one principal running multiple schools.”

Some schools would be limited to one secretary, he said.

“It would be a challenge,” Frangipani said.

The school board must start to prepare, English said.

“It’s a scary thought when you think about it,” he said, noting even if in the spirit of compromise, the governor cut state aid by $35 million, “that’s another big number.”

School board member Chris Jennings added, “$3.5 million, at this point, is a lot.”

The board president questioned how state officials who develop these funding formulas come up with solutions for “a struggling area like ours.”

English encouraged state officials to come down and spend some time in the district.

The district has raised the school tax rate for the past two years. Taxpayers currently kick in less than 15 percent of the budget.

“The bottom line, we have to educate our kids,” English said.

To make up the proposed state aid cut, the tax levy could increase significantly.

For example, the owners of a Vineland property assessed at $100,000 would see their annual school tax payment go up approximately $1,800. This would be in addition to the $580 they already pay.

Board member Inez Acosta suggested people reach out to their elected officials and let them know how the proposal would “devastate our city.”

Deborah M. Marko: (856) 563-5256: dmarko@gannettnj.com