Barrington Bulletin
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School board passes 2013-2014 budget
The Barrington School District Board of Education unanimously approved the 2013-2014 budget Tuesday night after a public presentation of some of the specifics.
With no increase in state aid and lower projected revenues from federal grants, the $12.6 million spending plan calls for an increase in local property taxes, Business Administrator Samuel L. Dutkin told the board and members of the public.
The increase amounts to $45.82 more in property taxes for the owner of a home assessed at the borough average value of $220,300, Dutkin said.
Under the budget, Superintendent Anthony Arcodia said, all current programs and class sizes would be maintained, along with courtesy busing, continued district contributions to field trip and athletic costs and additional lunchroom aides.
The budget also will fund:
- A greenhouse at Woodland School to function — at times — as a hands-on science lab;
- Completing installation of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant doorknobs and locks at Woodland School;
- Full resurfacing and painting of the Woodland School gym floor;
- New scoreboard at Woodland School;
- Funding for additional security efforts;
- Lighting upgrades at both schools;
- Technology and equipment upgrades;
- Salaries and benefits;
- Tuition to Haddon Heights.
The annual payments to Haddon Heights to pay for Barrington students to be educated at the high school amount to $3.99 million for 264 students in 2013-2014, Dutkin said. The per-student cost of $14,050 is a 2 percent hike over the $13,770 for 260 students in 2012-2013.
At the end of each year, that tuition number is verified by the state; if the number does not accurately represent the services or the number of students changes, one district must pay the other the difference.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 15.
DISCLAIMER
The author of the Barrington Bulletin, Mark Correa, is also a member of the Barrington School District Board of Education as of Jan. 6, 2013. Please be aware that I do not speak for the board in any way. The thoughts, views and opinions contained within the posts on this site are mine and mine alone. And the comments after any given posts are the thoughts, views and opinions of the author of the comment.
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