Schools

Tentative 2012-13 M'town Schools Budget Falls Within 2 Percent State Cap

Budget means average schools tax hike of $46 a year for average taxpayer

Middletown Superintendent of Schools William George is spreading what he calls some good budget news for both the district and taxpayers.

The tentative 2012-13 $149.7 million spending plan, with a tax levy of $125 million, has been approved. It’s well within the state-mandated 2 percent cap and state aid is up by $851,011 from last year, with this year’s figure at $17,484,212, up from last year’s $16,633,190.

The increase in the tax levy represents a .98 percent tax levy hike, or roughly $1.3 million below the 2 percent state cap.

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The general operating budget is staying almost exactly level from last year’s $145.7 million and last year’s tax levy of $123.8 million, or a 2.6 percent increase from last year, what George says is the lowest proposed hike in a decade.

It translates into an extra $46 a year on the schools tax bill for property assessed at $376,800, Middletown’s median, or roughly $4 a month.

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“The budget prepared by the and the administrative team for the 2012-13 school year is both fiscally and educationally responsible,” George said.

According to administration’s figures, accounting for most of the budget (98 percent), the tax levy funds 86 percent, with state aid contributing 12 percent.

There will be no vote on the budget this year, as the spending plan is lower than the state cap.

, in line with a new state-sanctioned plan designed to eliminate the added election costs of holding a separate schools election in April.

According to state edict, if the budget is kept below the 2 percent, then there will be no vote on it, only Board of Education members. Any budget that crosses the 2 percent line must be voted on in ballot question, if a district has opted for the November schools elections.

George touted the room left in what he says is a fiscally austere budget to maintain and enhance programs. Those programs are: full day Kindergarten, advanced placement classes and programs, athletic programs, summer programs at middle and elementary schools and PSAT and HSPA testing initiatives.

With the 2012-13 budget, there will also be staff additions, including: a music teacher at , four special education teachers, three math teachers between and high schools North and South, one new elementary teacher, 1.6 new “specials” teachers, one elementary special education teacher and one district-wide student services supervisor.

“We are grateful for the vision of the Board of Education and its commitment to improving teaching and learning,” George said. “This budget provides our students with research-based educational resources and instructional programs for their continued growth and development.”

See the attached presentation for more details on the budget.


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