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Schools

Insight Into Proposed School Budget

Even with the loss of State Aid, all programs, including extra-curricular activities and athletics can continue when personnel cuts are made

Springfield Patch received the following letter from Dr. Susie Hung, Principal of Edward V. Walton School and Elizabeth Cresci, Principal of Jonathan Dayton High School:

As in past years, the Board of Education and its Administration have
made every effort to provide a school budget for the next school year
that will enable the district to continue to meet the needs and
priorities of our children.

This year, the construction of the budget was particularly difficult
because of Trenton's last minute elimination of all of our State Aid.
Even with the loss of all State Formula Aid, this budget accounts for
the continuation of all programs, including extra curricular and
athletics. In order to facilitate the inclusion of all needed programs,reductions were made in the following areas of the projected 2010-2011
tentative budget:

1. 3 administrative positions,

2. 2 secretarial positions, and

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3. On average, a reduction of 2.5% of discretionary spending (supplies,
equipment, etc.)

Even with this added burden from the State, the budget reflects a
3.9725% increase from the 2009-2010 school year, which is still below
the cap allowed by state law. The District is simply doing more with
less. For you, the taxpayer, this translates into an increase of $77 per
$100,000 of assessed valuation. When spread out over 365 days, we are
looking at $0.21 cents per day.

The goal of the Springfield schools is, and will continue to be, to
provide superior education for all students in the most cost efficient
manner possible.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

Polls will be open from 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

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