West Milford School Board updates

The West Milford Board of Education has been holding virtual meetings since the closing of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On April 28th, the school board approved the 2020-2021 School Budget, and adjusted the School Calendar for unused emergency/ snow days.

On May 26th, the school board discussed distance learning updates, planning for the new school year- including contingency plans for a September opening with state restrictions, as well as adjustments to distance learning if it needs to continue in the Fall.

School Budget

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Anemone sent a Honeywell Alert message on Wednesday, April 29th, in which he stated:

“Last night at the Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the 2020-2021 school budget. Due to a large reduction ($1,972,723) in State Aid, our total budget decreased by 0.28% and our general fund decreased by 0.38%. The budget is responsive to the dynamic needs of our District and is significantly under the State and Regional limits for administrative spending. Compared to our Regional (north New Jersey) peers, approximately $1,000,000 extra was appropriated towards classroom spending.”

According to Anemone’s presentation, State Aid reductions are slated to continue over the next four years. Anemone stated that he anticipates those cuts will be more than the original estimate of $7 million over seven years, and more likely to be closer to $10 million in cuts over that time frame.

The District’s General Fund of $57,515,848 reflects an increase of $1,402,826. Debt Service is $299,710 reflecting an increase of $29,450. On an “Average Assessed Home” valued at $242,300, the Average Tax Levy Increase for the 2020-2021 school year is $119.59; which amounts to a $9.97 per month average increase of school taxes on the median assessed home.

Anemone noted that the average tax increase over the past nine years has been 1.49 percent.

The 2020-2021 General Fund shows a reduction of 0.38 percent in revenues, and the Tax Levy increase is 2.5 percent. Anemone said this was primarily due to the State Aid cuts this year of approximately $2 million.

Capital Projects included in the budget are:

■ McCormack Field and Track renovation

■ Macopin Well Replacement

■ Macopin Tennis Courts Resurfacing

■ Continued Implementation of Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP)

■ Continued Shared Services with the Township

Proposed Cuts include:

■ Clubs, Supplies, Athletics, Professional Development, Summer Hours

■ 1 Administrator – Supervisor Math

■ 2 Elementary

– 6th Grade

– Media Specialist

■ Transportation

– 0.5 Secretary

■ WMHS

– Science

■ Special Education

– 0.6 Teacher

■ Macopin

– Computer Science

■ Districtwide

– Music (1 full-time Teacher)

– 0.5 Nurse

The PowerPoint presented by Dr. Anemone at the April 28th Board of Education meeting can be viewed on the district website at:

www.wmtps.org/what_s_new/2020-2021_budget_hearing_on_the_budget.

The video of the virtual meeting can be viewed at www.wmtps.org, click on “Board”, then click “Board Meeting Video Library,” then select the meeting date you wish to view (Budget meeting is 04-28-2020).

Calendar changes

The School Board approved a change to the 2019-2020 school calendar at the April 28th virtual meeting.

Four emergency snow days in the school calendar remain unused; therefore, the end of the school year has been moved up by four days.

All schools will have an early dismissal on June 17th, 18th, and 19th.

Friday, June 19th will be the Last Day of school for all Students and Staff.

Graduation and Promotion Ceremonies

The West Milford Board of Education held its next virtual meeting on May 26th, and discussed planning contingencies for the upcoming school year, as well as continuing planning for Graduation and Promotion Ceremonies for students that adhere to changing state mandates related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Originally, only “Virtual” ceremonies were allowed by the state, but NJ Governor Phil Murphy recently announced that in-person graduation ceremonies will be allowed to take place (with certain social distancing restrictions) after July 6th, 2020.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Anemone said the district plans to hold Promotion Ceremonies for students in grades 5, 6 and 8, and a Graduation Ceremony for grade 12 as close to July 6th as possible. He said planning for those events are continuing, and evolving as updated state requirements are announced.

Future BOE Meetings

The June 9th West Milford Board of Education Staff & Student Recognitions/Special Action Meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 pm has been cancelled.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2020 at 7pm, and can be viewed via livestream through the district website at: www.wmtps.org, click on “Board”, then “BOE Meeting Live Stream”. Viewers may also participate in the “Public Comments” portions of the meeting via sending advance email to the School Board Central Office, or by phone as per instructions posted on the screen during the live virtual meeting.