Cape May Court House, NJ

May 16, 2002 1:30 PM

SPECIAL MEETING

FLAG SALUTE

THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED:

I hereby declare that notice has been given to the Herald Times, the Atlantic City Press and posted on the bulletin board of the Middle Township Municipal Building, stating the time and place of the following meeting, as required in P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 of the State of New Jersey. (Sunshine Law).

The Township Committee met on the above date at 6:00PM at the Middle Township Municipal Building. Members present were Mayor Doughty, Committeemember Leusner and Committeemember DeLanzo. Attorney Gorman, Business Administrator Alexis, and Township Clerk Coco were present.

Members of the Board of Education present were:
Heslinga, Back, Roberts, Whitaker, Buesing, Melchiorre, Money and Fineberg. Dr. Elder, Superintendent of Schools was present.

Administrator Alexis stated that he had meet with Dr. Elder and gave the following report as to items and reduction amounts that had been agreed upon in the School budget:

ACCOUNT# DESCRIPTION APPROPRIATION AMOUNT ADJUSTED

REDUCED APPROPRIATION

11-000-291-260 Workmens Compensation $ 250,000 $ 91,390 $ 158,610

11-000-270-593 Misc. Purchased Service $ 116,111 $ 38,000 $ 78,111

11-000-262-520 Insurance $ 165,172 $ 35,000 $ 130,172

11-000-230-590 Other Purchased Service $ 194,767 $ 34,288 $ 160,479

11-000-100-565 Tuition to CMCSSSD $1,875,058 $ 76,124 $1,798,934

11-000-270-107 Salaries for Pupil

Transportation $ 974,713 $ 5,000 $ 969,713

(between home-school)

11-000-230-530 Communications $ 144,336 $ 30,000 $ 114,336

11-000-291-270 Health Benefits $2,687,432 $ 8,000 $2,679,432

11-401-100-100 Salaries-

Co-curricular Activities $ 246,519 $ 5,000 $ 241,519

11-402-100-100 Salaries - Athletics $ 264,957 $ 5,000 $ 259,957

Alexis reported that the next three item had not had been discussed with Dr. Elder.

11-000-262-100 Undistributed

Expenditures (Other Oper
& Maint. Serv.
Plant Salaries) $949,033 $21,193 $927,840

11-000-261-420 Cleaning, repair
& maint. Serv. $150,100 $23,500 $126,600

11-000-261-610 Required main/
general supplies $40,588 $2,400 $38,188

TOTAL REDUCTION $374,895 TOTAL BUDGET REDUCED FROM $13,845,485 TO $13,470,590

Dennis Roberts, School Board Member and Dr. Elder stated that due to the additional 800,000 square feet that will be added to the Middle School and the High School, the additional Maintenance Personnel are necessary.
Calvin Back, School Board Member suggested that Township Committee eliminate the last three line items and increase the amount of one of the other line items to cover the $47,093.00.
Committee agreed to move the $47,093.00 to the reduction of Health Benefits bringing that total to $55,093.
The following members of the public spoke.
David Setty – objected to the Board of Education’s management of funds. Stated he will start a recall petition of the President of the School Board.
School Board Member Dan Money responded that the President does not stand-alone, the board as a whole votes on all decisions.
Peggy Mathis – asked for an explanation of the $21,193 for custodian.
Dr. Elder explained that money would be used to hire four part time custodian with no health benefits.
Mayor Doughty commended Administrator Alexis for his efforts with meeting with Dr. Elder and preparing the reductions.

RESOLUTION NO. 142-02 - REGARDING MIDDLE TOWNSHIP DEFEATED SCHOOL BUDGET - On motion by Mayor Doughty seconded by Committeemember Leusner and unanimously passed on roll call, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the voters of the Township of Middle in a duly held election, did fail to approve the General Fund Tax Levy Budget of the Board of Education of the Township of Middle for the school year (2002-03); and

WHEREAS, the Education, Budgets and Appropriations Law, N.J.S.A. 28a-22-37, requires the Governing Body of the (Municipality), after consultation with the Middle Township Board of Education, to determine the amount which is necessary to be appropriated in such budget and to certify to the County Board of Taxation the total amount so determined; and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township of Middle has consulted with representatives of the Middle Township Board of Education, and has thereafter determined the amount necessary to be appropriated;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Body of the Township of Middle, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, that the following determination is hereby made:

1. The original tax levy on the ballot for the base budget---------------------- $13,845,485.00

2. The amount of reduction to the tax levy for the base budget:------------- $ 374,895.00

3. The amount of tax levy being certified for the base budget:---------------- $13,470,590.00

4. Specific line item reductions:

2002-03 REDUCED ADJUSTED
ACCOUNT# DESCRIPTION APPROPRIATION AMOUNT APPROPRIATION

11-000-291-260 Workmens Comp $ 250,000 $ 91,390 $ 158,610

11-000-270-593 Misc.Purchased Service $ 116,111 $ 38,000 $ 78,111

11-000-262-520 Insurance $ 165,172 $ 35,000 $ 130,172

11-000-230-590 Other Purchased Service $ 194,767 $ 34,288 $ 160,479

11-000-100-565 Tuition to CMCSSSD $1,875,058 $ 76,124 $1,798,934

11-000-270-107 Salaries for Pupil

Transportation $ 974,713 $ 5,000 $ 969,713

(between home-school)

11-000-230-530 Communications $ 144,336 $ 30,000 $ 114,336

11-000-291-270 Health Benefits $2,687,432 $55,093 $2,632,339

11-401-100-100 Salaries-Co-curricular

Activities $ 246,519 $ 5,000 $ 241,519

11-402-100-100 Salaries - Athletics $ 264,957 $ 5,000 $ 259,957

RESOLUTION NO. 142-02 (CONT)

5. Supporting reasons for reduction: Based upon a review of all data provided by the Board of Education, meetings with representatives of the Board of Education, numerous public hearings and consideration of the public need, it has been determined that the reductions set forth herein can be effectuated without a reduction in programs or negatively impacting upon the education of the students.

ACCOUNT #11-000-291-260, 11-000-270-593, 11-000-262-520, 11-000-230-590
A total of $198,678 has been reduced in the insurance line accounts (non-health). This reduction is possible because of the district’s membership in the ACCASBO JIF. ($31,390 in distribution of past year(s) reserves and $167,288 in lower premiums for SY 2002/03.)

ACCOUNT #11-000-100-565
The district’s allocation through IDEA for 2002/03 has been increased by $76,124. These additional monies will be used to reduce local tuition commitment to the Cape May County Special Services School Districts.

ACCOUNT #11-000-270-107

The $5,000 reduction for bus drivers’ salaries for transportation between home and school is due to the realignment of the non-public bus routes.

ACCOUNT #11-000-230-530

The $30,000 reduction in the telecommunications line account is based on the E-rate rebate from our application for the 2002/03 SY. These funds will be used to pay for these services (phones, etc.) throughout the year through refunding this line.

ACCOUNT #11-000-291-270

Health Benefits line account can be reduced by $55,093 as employees that are currently full-time are replaced by part-time (under 30 hours) employees.

ACCOUNT #11401-100-100,11402-100-100

These two line accounts can be reduced in total by $10,000. This can be accomplished by the elimination of Schedule B positions.

6. The revised budget is sufficient to provide a thorough and efficient education.

7. There was no additional general fund tax levy considered by the voters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Middle Township Board of Education, Superintendent of the County of Cape May Department of Education, and the Administrator of the County Board of Taxation.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Sharon Coco
Township Clerk