Programs, Staff Remain Intact In Barnegat 2014-2015 Budget

By Patricia A. Miller

Tax us more, keep the staff and enhance programs.

That was the general message voiced by residents who attended the Barnegat school district's strategic planning meetings earlier this year, Schools Superintendent Karen Wood said.

The Barnegat school district held three meetings on the five-year plans. More than 300 people showed up at one session, she said.

"We invited everybody," Wood said. "Senior citizens, businesses, parents, staff. It was for the community. People came to us and said ' raise my taxes, don't cut programs.' "

That said, the $49,328,800 budget will rise 3.85 percent over 2013-2014.

The school tax rate for the 2014-2015 year is roughly 46 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation. That translates into a $116 increase yearly, or $9.60 per month on a house assessed at the township average of $250,000, Wood said.

Barnegat's recent budget history had meager budget increases ranging from zero increases in some years to 1.8 percent, which was starting to affect class sizes and programs, Wood said.

"We had 11 percent of banked caps that were never used," she said.

That trend was impossible to continue, and the district had to exceed the state-imposed two percent cap this year, she said.

"We can't keep cutting," Wood said. "It's impossible."

The district is expanding its special education programs this year, which will help cut down on out-of-district tuition costs.

"The Barnegat District will also be enhancing 21st Century Learning at the middle school and reducing class size and supporting our youngest learners by adding staff at our elementary schools," Wood said.

This year, Barnegat High School was recognized as one of 477 high schools across the US and Canada who made AP Honor Roll with the College Board.

 "Only two other districts in Ocean County can claim this - Toms River and Jackson," Wood said.

The district also plans to open the Bengal Cubs Early Learning Center in September, a self-funding day care center for district employees, she said.

"The Barnegat staff deserves to have an affordable, nurturing day care option in our district," Wood said.