Lakeland proposes 8% hike in budget

Wednesday, March 24, 2004
By BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER

WANAQUE - Enrollment at Lakeland Regional High School is expected to increase by nearly 100 students and the proposed 2004-05 budget shows an 8 percent increase reflecting those additional educational costs.

The proposed $17.5 million budget has a tax levy of $12.2 million. On April 20, Ringwood voters will decide on a $7,266,163 school tax and Wanaque residents will see a $4,930,198 tax levy on the ballot. Both figures do not include pre-approved debt service.

The levies will result approximately in a $97 increase in taxes for the average Ringwood home, assessed at $176,000, and a $121 increase for the average Wanaque home, assessed at $132,853.

"I honestly believe we put together a conservative, fair budget," Superintendent Al Guazzo said. "We have one of the best schools in Passaic County, and we want to stay there."

Because the budget is above the state's 3 percent limit on increases in tax-supported spending, Lakeland also needed the county to approve the spending plan.

The additional students are the result of an enrollment bubble in both sending districts. The Lakeland senior class in 2004 has about 240 students, but the number of ninth-graders expected to enter the school in September is close to 340, including 30 in special education. Four full-time academic staff members and a special education teacher need to be hired.

Other increasing costs are health-care benefits, projected to rise by 13 percent, and textbook purchases.

Guazzo said the district spent only $30,000 on books last year to save money, but this year will need to return to the normal budget of over $100,000.

Money also must be included for increasing teacher salaries. Contracts expire June 30, and negotiations for a new three-year pact have begun.

"Salaries and benefits account for about 70 percent of our budget," Guazzo said. "So there's just not much you can do with that."

This proposed budget will include money for starting a winter track program for boys and girls, including salaries for two coaches. More than 80 students are expected to sign up, which would make winter track the school's largest sport. Also being discussed is starting a golf team; no equipment is needed (students supply their own clubs) and the costs would be minimal.

"I get lots of calls from parents for track, lacrosse, and golf," Guazzo said. "Track and golf are two sports that won't require much more than the coaching salaries and just a few transportation fees."

A public hearing on the budget will be at 8 p.m. next Tuesday in the school's library.