Following the recognition was discussion of the budget. Superintendent John Scavelli began noting what was different from the preliminary budget that was presented in February, as there were significant changes both in revenues and expenses.
During the February budget session, the budget was projected to include an increase in taxes of $51.29 for an average household assessed at $270,000. After the changes in both revenues and expenses documented above, the budget being voted on this evening resulted in an average increase of $51.32. This increase includes the 2% cap and most of the health care waiver, but does not include any banked cap. Passing the tentative budget allows the budget to be submitted to the state. There will be public hearings on the budget in the first week of May prior to a final vote by the school board. Because the tax increase doesn't exceed the cap with the waiver, no public vote is needed. Mr Scavelli also pointed out that the estimates of ratables from the town had gone down since the February budget presentation. (The estimate of ratables went down $77,210 out of more than 5.2 BILLION dollars. The change is so small that in order to calculate it as a percentage, you need to carry the calculation out to three decimal places just to keep it from rounding to zero.)
Questions from board members followed. Ms Knoll asked about the increase in technology spending. Mr Scavelli and Ms Magulick responded, stating that the original budget contained the purchase 14 'flat panels', the new budget contained 36, to be spread among all the schools. These flat panels are to replace the aging Active Boards.
Mr McGoey asked for explanation of the 'health care waiver'. Mr Scavelli explained that the state allows districts to exceed the 2% cap if the increase in health care expenses hits a certain level.
Mr Mehigan noted that expenses were up $3.3 million, 4.2% from the prior year. And while he understood that 81% of the budget is salaries and benefits for employees and therefore contractually obligated, he felt the board needs to take a harder look at reducing expenses now that the budget has come in so high. Mr Scavelli responded that they are not 'randomly building the budget' - that the budget is being built throughout the year at the monthly finance committee meetings (of which Mr Mehigan is a member), and that it would be 'counterproductive' to undo the work of the previous finance committee meetings.
Mr Scavelli also noted that some of the expenses and increases are one time items. The increase in SRO spending is a one time increase (though SRO spending will continue at the higher level) and some capital projects are one time expenses. Mr Mehigan countered that capital projects have totaled approximately $500,000 each of the past three years, so calling them one-time expenses is misleading.
Mr Bravo noted that with revenues being up, the school board has the freedom to make some purchases it would otherwise not have been able to make. Mr Fisacaro stated that he was happy the board had some breathing room due to the additional state aid.
The next section of the meeting was a presentation by school district solicitor William Donio regarding Board Member ethics and social media use. This was a uncharacteristically lighthearted presentation full of emoticons and emoji, which I suppose makes sense when talking about social media use. School board members are allowed to use social media, they just need to be very cautious in noting their personal opinions and not as school board representatives. School board members also need to abstain from certain votes when they or their family members would be affected by the outcome of the vote. This is codified in law at NJSA 18A:12-24.
Mr Scavelli noted that Burlington County Department of Education was onsite on January 18th, and determined that Evesham School District was a 'High Performing' district, with a 'thorough and effective system of education.'
Ms Magulick noted that on March 21st, there will be a district wellness event at DeMasi, but as I write this on March 21st, having gotten out of work early due to the snowstorm, I assume that will be cancelled due to the weather. She also noted that Teddy Bear Academy will be having an Open House on March 24th from 10-12 at Marlton Middle School.
All items on the agenda were approved 9-0 with the following exceptions:
- Item 6, Ms Barbagiovanni and Mr Fisacaro abstained from approving minutes from Executive Session #2
- Item 9, Mr McGoey, Mr Mehigan and Ms Stone voted no on 9.10, 'Adopting the Tentative Budget for 2018-2019.'
Ms Knoll asked why the Real Estate broker was not renewed. Mr Scavelli noted that the original approval was for one year, and they put it on hold for the time being.
During public comment, a member of the public asked why the ETSD did not provide transportation to and from daycare. Mr Recchinti noted that it has been town policy for the last few years, as there had been problems in the past, with there being some occasions when no one available to meet the bus, so the policy was put in place. The owners of Kiddie Academy spoke supporting the member of the public, stating that there was never a problem at Kiddie Academy and hoping things could change in the future to help out the working mother.
Board member announcements
- Ms Knoll noted that she participated in a conference for Sustainable Jersey and was hopeful that Evesham could get certified, as there were grant opportunities available if certified. Other local districts, such as Medford, Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel and Moorestown were certified.
- Ms Ryan asked members of the public to support he district volleyball tournament that benefited our local PTOs.
