Schools

Saddle Brook Board of Education Adopts $31.8 Million Budget

The 2013-2014 Saddle Brook school budget, adopted Wednesday, includes a 2 percent tax increase.

The Saddle Brook Board of Education adopted a $31.8 million school budget Wednesday that includes a 2 percent tax increase.

"It's the lowest [tax impact] since I've been here and, I think, in many years," business administrator Raymond Karaty said.

Despite dealing with rising employee health costs, out-of-district tuition increases and flat state aid, the budget committee was able to come in at cap while maintaining all of the district's current programs and staff, Karaty said.

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Karaty said the committee remained within the cap by cutting down on maintenance projects, funding capital projets with capital reserves and surplus, and exploring employee health insurance alternatives to the State Health Benefits Plan.

The budget allocates a combined $675,000 in capital reserves and surplus funds to pay for partial roof and window replacements, and ceiling and light upgrades at four district schools, as well as repairs to a brick wall and chimney at Washington School, Karaty said.

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Other budget additions included items that will aid the district's special education offerings, including a new self-contained first grade special education class and ABA kindergarten class for students with learning disabilities, an addtional day each week for students who require speech and occupational therapy and a part-time resource center teacher. The district is also purchasing new math textbooks for its middle school students and a new school bus to replace one that has aged out, Karaty said.

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