Now that the fate of the Hammonton School District budget is in the hands of the Commissioner of Education, we would like to express our views and concerns. It is very disturbing that the Board of Education, even just a few weeks ago, had no idea where they stood financially. It was indicated that there would be a surplus for this year and just a few days later the district discovered that the total anticipated deficit is now $895,517.13. It appears obvious that changes have to be made. The administration is charged with the responsibility to keep the Board informed throughout the year of its finances. Obviously this administration did not know where they stood and that can�t happen in any school district, let alone a district with a budget of $35 million. Hammonton School District Business Administrator Lesley Motz has announced her retirement as of June 30th of this year. Hopefully the Board realizes the importance of finding the right person to fill this position. There should be an intensive search for the person to take over the finances of this troubled district. There should not be any promotions from within the organization that created this problem. And once a new, highly qualified Business Administrator is in place, that person should very quickly review the current staff and make any adjustments they feel necessary to get this District back on the right course. There are those who say the Superintendent must go also. We say you must learn from the past. Our district lost both its Superintendent and Business Administrator at the same time several years ago, and we are still feeling the consequences of that action. There was no stability in the transition within the district and the district was lost in trying to move forward. Mary Lou DeFrancisco is not above responsibility for the current state of our district, but she should be evaluated by the Board over the next few months as this transition takes place. The search for a new BA should have already started, but if it has not, must start today and we can not settle for anything less then excellence. This person must have knowledge of dealing with troubled districts and also knowledge of dealing with a sending receiving relationship. The Board should also put in place a neutral third party to oversee and audit the finances of the district. This should not be the Board's current auditor, Town Council�s auditor (who is the same firm), or the Fiscal Oversight Committee. It needs to be an independent party with no ties to anyone in Town so that they may be fair, balanced and frank with their reports. Finally, no matter where the budget ends up when it comes back from the Commissioner, when the audited student enrollment figures come in on October 15 of this year, adjustments will need to be made to the budget and to the tuition charges to Waterford and Folsom so that we never find ourselves in this situation again.
At the Special Meeting of the Board of Education on May 25th, the Board took the following actions:
-Directed the administration to request the Atlantic County Superintendent of Schools to approve the deferral of the deficit from 2004-05 of $453,772 to the next budget year
-Approved the receipt of bids for the sale/leaseback of textbooks in a sum not to exceed $500,000.
-Forwarded the 2006-2007 budget to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education for the restoration of $1,214,028
Now we just sit and wait to see the final resolution sent back from the Commissioners office.
A special meeting of the Hammonton Board of Education was held on Thursday, June 1st. The Board had to develop a budget to submit to the state that agreed with the 7.1 cents the Council approved for the tax increase. The Board made the following cuts in order to reduce the budget down to the level approved by Council:
- Courtesy busing has been eliminated
- 2 replacement busses will not be purchased
- 3 teachers in the proposed budget will be cut
- 1 secretary from each building will be cut
- ALL extra-curricular activities to include ALL sports and clubs have been eliminated
Click here to see letter from the Superintendent
Below is the latest solution to the school district's budget problems. This was annonunced at a news conference on Monday 6/12.
School Budget Solution (pending School Board / Mayor & Council approval)
� Tax rate for 06/07 set at 7.1 cents
The School will give the Town a 99yr. renewable lease (or interlocal government agreement) with the option to purchase the Middle School fields (per google drawing) & be provided an easement for the parking lots on the west and east side of the school. The school to also transfer the liberty street pumping station to the town. Consideration shall be $1,200,000 plus an additional $100,000 when parking lots and driveways to the east and west of the school are repaved. The Middle school will retain use of the fields for middle school activities. The School will be responsible for relocating the buses as necessary, as well as lighting of the parking areas, as now exists. There will be no permanent signage for any group (sponsor signs excluded) and any color for structures, bleachers etc. will be neutral. The football field will remain William T. Capella field. The Town will provide all necessary insurance for the grounds leased, naming the Board as additional insured.
Use of funds by the school
The Board will utilize $800,000.00 of the $1,200,000 payment for the 06-07 budget and the balance will be placed in reserve. Total general fund appropriations for 06/07 will be $29,999,347.
Corrective Action Plan (per the County B.A.)
1. The current deficit estimated at $1,500,000 will be paid off when the school sells the commercial property it owns along the White Horse Pike. The remaining funds of that sale will only be used for capital expenses.
2. The Board will seek consultation on costs allowable under sending/receiving relationships to insure that sending districts are properly charged.
3. The County B.A. and School auditor will do a monthly financial report on the district and provide a written copy to the School Board as well as Mayor and Council to make sure the funds are properly utilized and no deficit is run in the 06/07 school year.
4. The School must submit a 3-year projection plan to the State.
5. The School must submit a cashflow plan to the State.
6. The County B.A. and School Auditor will work with the School district to prepare the 07/08 budget.
