HOWELL – Members of the Howell Township Board of Education recently voted to approve a $135,161,913 million budget for the 2023-24 school year.
According to the board, the $135.2 million budget will be supported by $84.4 million in taxes collected from Howell’s residential and commercial property owners.
The budget will be used to operate 12 schools, which have an estimated enrollment of about 5,400 students, according to the school district.
The pre-kindergarten through second grade schools consists of the Adelphia School, the Greenville School, the Griebling School, the Land O’ Pines School and the Taunton School.
Schools who have grades three through five are the Aldrich School, the Ardena School, Memorial School, the Newbury School and the Ramtown School.
The two middle schools for grades six through eight are Howell Middle School North and Howell Middle School South.
In Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement of state aid for all municipalities, Howell School District received a $1.74 million reduction in state aid. For the 2022-23 school year, the district received $22.34 million, while the upcoming school year they received $20.60 million, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.
“We are in an environment where we are reacting, unfortunately, to budget cuts. It creates a scenario where it’s more about maintenance and defense than it is about advancement of the educational process,” said Ronald Sanasac, Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration.
“I’m glad to say with the help of the committee and board, we’re presenting a budget that sustains the excellence of Howell Township,” Sanasac added.
In the budget presentation that was shown at the May 3 BOE meeting, he went over the details such as the budget’s priorities and the challenges the district has been facing.
Sanasac said in order to maintain stability, they will continue to monitor and manage debt and other financing, enhance the benefits of ESIP (Energy Savings Improvement Program), continue transportation routing efficiencies, continue to streamline operational functions, and more.
He said the biggest challenge the district is facing is the continued budget cuts.
“In light of the reduced funding, they continue to come up with regulations and rules that are more difficult to follow, more difficult to adhere to, and in my opinion do not necessarily all add to the educational experience,” Sanasac said.
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