Kearny School Board Approves Budget with Tax Levy Increase
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
04/30/2024
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Recording Published:
04/30/2024
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Duration:
24 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Hudson County
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Towns:
Kearny
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting, the Kearny School Board approved a new budget for the 2024-2025 school year, which includes a 2% increase in the local tax levy and a significant boost in state aid. The new budget is set at $163,221,960, reflecting a $17,783,193 increase from the previous year. The tax levy will amount to $59,386,610, and state aid will see a 12 million dollar increase, totaling $81,533,078. Despite the additional state funding, the board has decided to raise the tax levy to ensure they have sufficient funds for future plans and to accommodate rising enrollment figures.
The approved budget also takes into account a rise in enrollment to levels consistent with those of October 2019, with 5,716 students. The budget allocates $69,968,201.16 for educational programs, which is 43% of the budget, and $23,962,266 for employee benefits, accounting for 15%. Maintenance and facilities will receive $6,676,119.90, representing 10% of the budget. The administration, capital outlay, and charter school payments each account for about 7% of the budget.
The meeting included a detailed presentation of the budget, highlighting various components including appropriations for educational programs, administration, maintenance and facilities, transportation, employee benefits, capital outlay, adult school programs, and charter school payments. Discussions also touched upon the district’s ongoing underfunding issues, even with the recent increases in aid.
An anonymous question raised during the meeting addressed the need for a tax levy increase despite the $12 million increment in state aid. The response provided was that the growth in student enrollment necessitates a reserve of funds for future demands and potential projects. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the unpredictability of health insurance costs and state aid, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy surplus.
Flora Encarnacao
School Board Officials:
Dr. Adeline Boyd, Elizabeth A. Burke, John Carey, Cecilia Lindenfelser (Vice President), John J. Mckenna, Samantha Paris (President), Laura Pettigrew, Jose A. Soares, Sebastian J. Viscuso
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
04/30/2024
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Recording Published:
04/30/2024
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Duration:
24 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Hudson County
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Towns:
Kearny
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