Roxbury superintendent flags budget pressure, new state rules on phones and cursive, and school security guidance
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Santoro told the board the district faces a roughly $3 million projected health‑benefit increase, $1.7 million in salary commitments and a loss of about 40 students (≈$800,000 in state aid). He also outlined compliance steps for a state-required bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone ban, reintroduction of cursive instruction and security procedures for potential ICE visits.
The Roxbury Township School District superintendent told the board the district is preparing for significant budget pressure and several state-mandated changes during the board meeting.
Dr. Santoro said the district expects a roughly 20% increase in health benefits, which he described as translating to about $3,000,000, and projected $1.7 million in salary increases. He also reported a decline of approximately 40 students from one year to the next, which he estimated would reduce state aid by about $800,000. "Taken together, we have to manage what we know to be areas of deficit with what we know to be areas of revenue," Santoro said, explaining that the district will continue looking at supply and staffing reductions through attrition and other measures to produce a balanced budget.
Santoro noted the district must submit a balanced budget to the county by March 20 and said district staff expect state aid numbers in mid-March, a later window than usual. He said a superintendent coffee in February will focus on the budget and include the business administrator.
On state policy changes, Santoro described two laws signed by the governor that affect schools: a bell-to-bell cell-phone ban and a requirement to reintroduce cursive instruction. "I met with Mr. Crispino this morning who is already underway on a new policy that will be in compliance with the law," he said, adding the cell-phone ban policy will be reviewed by the policy committee.
On security and parental concerns, Santoro said he issued guidance to building principals in January and February on how to respond if a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent attempts to gain access to a school. He said principals are instructed to contact him and the local police; Santoro said he had confirmation from local police chief Chief Holland that police would respond and handle the situation. "At no time would the safety and security of our students be compromised," Santoro said.
Santoro also briefed the board on an online scholarship platform the district rolled out this year and on a January 14 CUSAC monitoring visit; he said formal CUSAC results are expected in the summer. He congratulated Eisenhower Middle School on being named to New Jersey 'Schools to Watch.'
The superintendent concluded by reiterating that the district will make the public aware of cost-saving strategies as the budget process progresses.