Student Achievement is Highest Priority in 2010-2011 Proposed Budgetownship Public Schools
Dear Community Member,
The mission of the Franklin Township Public School District is to provide excellent educational opportunities for every student, maintain an environment that engenders an appreciation of the value of every student, develop every student to his/her highest potential, and instill the attitudes, skills, and knowledge necessary to become independent contributing members of a democratic, multicultural society. In our roles as the educational leaders of our community, we are deeply committed to this charge — it is close to our hearts and at the forefront of our budget planning process.
The development of our 2010-2011 Proposed Budget began several months ago as district administrators collaborated with building principals, teachers and staff members. Building principals reached out to their staff members and parents for their input. With the economic crisis in New Jersey and new leadership in Trenton, everything changed drastically for all school districts in our state. We are now challenged with draconian cuts of a magnitude that we have never-before faced nor expected. It is important for us to be more collaborative than ever. The work normally addressed by the Board Finance Committee was moved to the full Board for input and action. The community was invited into the process. Two public Budget Workshops and three additional Board of Education meetings were held. Additional updates were provided to Board members and the public as information was received from the State and the Executive County Superintendent’s office. At times, our discussions were agonizing and heart-wrenching.
On March 17, we learned that State aid for our district had been cut by 38.4% — $6.3 million. Planning for this drastic cutback was further complicated by the short deadline to submit the Proposed Preliminary Budget for approval to the Executive County Superintendent’s office. In addition, as a district that received State grants for facility projects, we are being assessed a fee by the New Jersey Department of Education which will result in the further reduction of State aid by $207,363.
On March 18, the Proposed Preliminary Budget was presented to the Board of Education and community at a special public Board meeting. Our parents, our children, our staff and our community members spoke, and there was an outcry to preserve invaluable programs.
We listened, we heard you and we have attempted to preserve as much as possible within our severely limited financial resources. We attempted to assure fairness and equity while maintaining student achievement as our highest priority. We will continue to explore ways to bridge gaps caused by the cutbacks through efficiencies, “pay to participate” and volunteer programs.
We have discussed a salary freeze with our bargaining units. It is our expectation that we will be able to apply money saved from this area to restore proposed cuts in positions, potentially enabling us to reinstate services and programs. At the time that this newsletter was sent to the printer, we are pleased to have learned that the Franklin Township School Administrators’ Association has agreed to a salary freeze. Discussions to consider salary freezes are continuing with the Franklin Township Education Association and Franklin Township Support Staff Association. The Proposed Budget is the result of input and feedback from many and approval from the Executive County Superintendent’s office. We ask that you review the budgetary information provided both in this newsletter and on-line at www.franklinboe.org.
We also encourage all residents to vote in the School Board Election on April 20.
Sincerely,
The Franklin Township Board of Education and Edward Q. Seto, Superintendent of Schools
