NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Board of Education adopted its $16,876,461budget April 25, calling for a 1.2-cent tax rate increase.The increase to $1.25 per $100 of assessed value equates to $1,250 oneach $100,000 or $3,125 on a $250,000 home.The 2022-23 spending plan is up about $652,036 over the current year’sbudget. The district realized an increase of $505,502 in state aid to$5,364,863, making up most of the spending increase.The tax levy is up the maximum 2 percent, or $204,008, to $10,404,413.According to a presentation provided by Business Administrator LindaAlbright, the spending plan maintains all current programs and expandsspecial education programming.The salaries and benefits of six part-time special education teachersformerly funded through federal aid are now being funded by thedistrict. A part-time basic skills position will be added.Additional extracurricular activities will be offered for preschooland baseball/softball teams will be added for middle school.Maintenance and utility spending are up, but the presentation notedconstruction of a bathroom for preschool students at New York AvenueSchool would be paid for through capital reserves.New curriculum programming and texts for music and social studies willbe funded, as well as online programming formerly federally funded.The city budget makes up about 30 percent of a tax bill, with thelocal and regional school budgets making up just more than 50 percentand the county budget another 20 percent.Mainland Regional High School was expected to adopt its $30,942,090budget May 2. Northfield property owners’ tax rate will increase .9cents to 73.1 cents.However, Atlantic County’s $236.8 million budget calls for a 1.5-centdecrease, bringing the total expected tax increase for a homeowner to.6 cents, or $60/$100. That translates into a total tax increase ofabout $150 on a home assessed at $250,000.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff