LINWOOD — The regional school tax would rise a bit in all three sending districts, but not more than 1.6 cents in any, under Mainland Regional High School’s proposed 2023-24 budget.
The administration presented the $31,445,153 spending plan to the Board of Education on March 20. It consists of a $19,642,254 general fund tax levy, $3,338,269 in fund balance and $8,185,924 in state aid.
The spending plan proposes a tax levy increase of $347,309, or 1.8 percent, over the previous budget. The total allowable by law without voter approval is 2 percent.
According to a presentation, the assessed value has increased in all three sending districts, offsetting the need for a larger tax hike. The equalized value results in Linwood taxpayers picking up 31.64 percent, Northfield 29.54 percent and Somers Point 38.82 percent of the budget based on their respective total assessments of $934.4 million, $872.4 million and $1.146 billion.
In Linwood, where the total tax levy for the school year is $6,861,173, the tax rate would increase 1.6 cents to 73.4 cents per $100, or an increase of $16 on each $100,000 of assessed value.
Northfield homeowners would see their regional school tax increase 1.1 cents per $100, or $11 on each $100,000. The total levy for the Gateway to the Shore would be $6,437.911
Taxpayers in Somers Point would see their rate rise .2 cents to 74.3 cents per $100 of assessed value, or an increase of $2 on every $100,000. The total tax levy in the city by the bay would be $8,520,292.
Enrollment also plays a factor. According to the presentation, the size of the student body has fluctuated by about 40 students annually for the past five years, with it numbering 1,210 as of Oct. 15, 2022.
Salaries and medical benefits costs make up 80 percent of the budget. They include a contracted 3.3 percent increase for the Mainland Regional Education Association. The administrator contract is set to expire June 20.
Anticipated cost increases include health care benefits, which are budgeted at $607,452 higher than this year, an increase of 15 percent. According to the presentation, the district budgeted for a 2 percent increase in 2022-23 and faced a 15.6 percent increase.
Nearly 20 percent of students are eligible for the free and reduced-cost lunch program and about 19 percent are classified as special education.
According to the presentation, out-of-district special education placements for high school students in programs previously directed by the sending districts is an ever-increasing expense. Budgeted for 2023-24 is $2,661,654 for in-district costs, $578,733 for a special services school district and $543,354 for special placements. Total special education costs, including tuition, transportation and staffing, is budgeted at $4,927,842.
In addition, tuition paid to Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts and the Atlantic County Institute of Technology amounts to $915,601, up $158,352.
Expenses of operating sports, co-curricular clubs and the aquatic center amount to $1,368,826, down $105,959. All current level of sports are included in the budget.
Nearly another $1 million will fund the technology replacement plan, down $47,682.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff