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Ocean Township School District schedules April 29 final budget presentation; preschool expansion bid released
Summary
The Township of Ocean School District will present its final budget at a public meeting on April 29. Administration reported a preschool expansion grant covering 40% of certain construction costs and said it is reviewing 27 positions as it works to align expenditures with the tentative budget.
The Township of Ocean School District will present its final budget at a public meeting on April 29 at 7 p.m. in the district auditorium, followed by student recognition and the regular voting meeting at 8 p.m., Superintendent Weldon said.
The presentation will include the tentative budget approved last month and a public question-and-answer period; Weldon said attendees may leave contact information for questions that cannot be answered immediately.
School Business Administrator Michael Hastings said the district has submitted a draft budget to the county and is continuing to examine the expenditure side to match its tentative tax request. "We started to get some emails today on our draft budget that was submitted to the county," Hastings said. He told the board the tentative budget request remains unchanged for tax purposes.
Hastings said administrators reviewed potential capital and operating reductions, including delaying or not funding several capital projects (examples cited: a heat curtain at the high school entrance and a new turf field) and delaying some technology purchases (large monitors, ceiling-mounted projectors and microphones).
On staffing, Hastings said administrators reviewed 27 positions: 14 are currently vacant and will not be filled, 11 reflect retirements or resignations under review for possible reassignment, and about three positions are the only ones that might directly affect current staff. "So that's 14 vacant and 11 that are retirees and or resignations... So that leaves us with about 3 positions that may actually impact personnel," he said. Hastings added the district will continue efforts to minimize staff loss and that retirements and resignations remain incomplete for the year.
Hastings also described a preschool expansion project for which the district received a construction grant. "The preschool expansion grant will pay for 40% of the project cost," he said. The current plans would add preschool bathrooms in six classrooms — three at Wanamasa, two at Wayside and one at Dow — and the bid opening for the work is scheduled after the district's spring break, with work planned over the summer for a September opening.
The budget presentation on April 29 will be the district's primary public vehicle to explain the tentative budget and take questions; Hastings said any unanswered questions will be followed up by the administration.
Board President McCarthy and members encouraged public attendance at the April 29 meeting so taxpayers could hear the presentation directly and ask questions.
The district posted the announcement on its social media channels and website to notify residents of the presentation and public-comment procedure.
Looking ahead, Hastings told the board that administration will continue to refine the expenditure side of the budget and will report back on details raised during the presentation if needed.
