0:28During the public comment segment, residents raised concerns about the district’s health and safety priorities. Amy McCambridge, a Ridgewood resident, criticized the decision to allocate $80,000 for sports lights, arguing that the funds should instead ensure clean drinking water and safe playing fields for students. McCambridge highlighted the presence of unfiltered water fountains in schools, which she described as potentially contaminated, urging the board to remove synthetic fields and restore natural grass. She called for immediate testing of soil and water to safeguard students’ health.

Christina Millian, another resident, echoed McCambridge’s concerns, questioning the absence of PoSos filters in the budget to provide safe drinking water for the district’s 5,398 students. She noted that Ridgewood water reports advised against consuming unfiltered water and proposed that unfiltered fountains be shut off until safety could be assured. Millian also inquired about the absence of School Resource Officers (SROs) in elementary schools, seeking clarity on funding and emphasizing the need for these positions to protect younger students. Additionally, she requested updates on cleanliness issues at Haw Elementary School and sought clarification on a reported reduction in employee benefits within the budget.

Responding to these concerns, Superintendent Mark Schwarz explained that while the district had considered installing PoSos filtered water fountains, the costs were prohibitive. He noted that the village of Ridgewood is working on a project to filter all water by 2026, influencing the decision not to invest heavily in new fountains at this time. Schwarz acknowledged the need for more SROs in elementary schools but highlighted that most SRO interactions occur at the high school and middle school levels.

Schwarz also addressed cleanliness concerns, noting ongoing improvements in facilities management. Regarding employee benefits, he clarified that reductions related to capital projects, not health benefits, which were not being cut. Capital budget reductions resulted from lower surplus funds available for projects.

28:38The budget presentation, led by Dr. Schwarz and Mr. Matthews, detailed the district’s financial planning process. The budget aims to balance educational advancements with fiscal responsibility, despite a small reduction in categorical state aid. The board committed to a 2% tax increase cap, reflecting sensitivity to the community’s tax burden. The superintendent emphasized the board’s careful use of taxpayer dollars, acknowledging economic challenges and potential long-term impacts of federal and state funding.

The preliminary budget hearing highlighted recommendations for the tax levy and budget appropriations, balancing projected revenues. Transparency and community engagement were emphasized, with the board open to feedback on budget priorities. A zero-based budgeting approach was introduced, requiring departments to justify their requests from the ground up.

The board also discussed the restructuring of the facilities department to optimize expenditures and improve service delivery. There was a push to bring certain services in-house. This shift included hiring skilled tradespeople to manage maintenance tasks internally, reducing reliance on external vendors.

42:38Concerns about the rising per pupil cost, projected at $21,299, were addressed. The increase was attributed to inflation and administrative expenses, with adjustments necessary to maintain educational quality. The board expressed gratitude for contributions from local associations and highlighted planned academic initiatives, including a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and a new gifted and talented program.

The budget presentation included analyses of revenues and expenditures, with the tax levy set to increase by $2 million and state aid down by $218,000. Capital maintenance figures showed a reduction from $8.8 million to $1.7 million, raising questions among board members. Clarification was provided on adjustments due to ongoing projects, such as HVAC upgrades for Ridge and Glen schools.

1:16:54Discussions on capital projects emphasized the need for strategic planning to accommodate unexpected costs. A proposal suggested increasing the operational budget by 0.25% to create predictable revenue for capital projects, with potential state funding covering 40% of costs. This approach aims to provide a structured plan for improvements without permanently raising the base budget.