Governor cuts leave HP schools scrambling

In the midst of a presentation on the 2010-11 school budget late in March, a simple line graph of recent years’ state aid was a jarring visual representation of the crisis now facing Highland Park schools. The 28% drop served as striking evidence of why the Board of Education will be asking residents to agree to a 3.93% tax levy, just tenths of a percentage away from the 4% cap.

Prior to Governor Chris Christie’s March 16th announcement of cuts to State Aid for school districts, Superintendent Frances Wood says she was advised by the County Superintendent to prepare for tax cuts as high as 15%. Working with school principals and advisors, Wood labored to streamline spending and increase efficiency, producing a preliminary budget below this year’s. But when Governor’s office announced their actual cuts, the aid decrease had slashed 28%, not 15. And in addition, interest on prior school bond issues, which were previously accounted to the state, will now be passed on to the local districts, adding another $67,700 to Highland Park's required expenses.

Sent back to the drawing boards with a hurry-up five daydeadline, a new budget was created. Though Wood called it “thoroughly and utterly depressing,” parents and educators alike were relieved to see the drastic cuts planned in other towns – more than 100 layoffs in Edison, cancellation of kindergarten in Woodbridge, to name a few – are not the case just yet.

Highland Park’s budget proposes minimal staff cuts including two secretarial positions and one administrative, and absorptions of duties. Program cuts would include the third grade Strings program and a restructuring of the WISE of independent study program for high school seniors.

The result of sweat, tears, and perhaps a little blood as well, the budget is undeniably the product of a board committed to the best for its students. A board whose own experience in the classroom knows firsthand the detriment to children when class size goes above 25, or when programs that speak to the creative minds of students are removed.

But Wood cautions that this is only if residents agree to the 3.93% levy. “This is our last chance to have control over our budget,” she says. “It’s not really today that seems the most painful, but we’re looking to the future.” Her fears, and of vocal attendees at the meeting, are of the deeper cuts if a reduced levy cap is imposed next year. If the base is set too low now, Wood says, the following year will see the loss of pre-kindergarten as well as countless sports and activities not part of the State’s mandated ‘core requirements.'

The public vote on the schools budget and three board members is Tuesday, April 20th. The superintendent and the entire school board remain available by email to address concerns of the public, and the full slideshow is available for download from www.hpschools.net. Likewise, Board of Education president Wendy Saiff offered to speak in person with any assembly of residents. “In Highland Park, we know, no coffee (klatsch) is too small,” Saiff noted.

Residents of all ages and situations who feel the burden of these drastic budget cuts to be unjust were urged by Saiff to contact their state representatives. The district website, she noted, offers a link to the electronic and postal addresses of these representatives and includes a sample letter that can be copied for use.

Nicole Gonzalez is a lifelong resident of Highland Park, with two children in the public schools. Comment on this column at www.hpmirror.com, or by letter to letters@hpmirror.com.