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Haddon Township board approves tentative budget submission that includes 9.3% tax-levy option
Summary
The Haddon Township School District board voted to approve a tentative budget submission to the county that includes an option for a 9.3% increase in the district portion of the property tax levy, a step the administration said preserves eligibility for a new state tax-levy incentive; final adoption is scheduled for a May 6 special meeting.
The Haddon Township School District board voted to approve a tentative budget submission that includes an option to raise the district portion of the property tax levy by 9.3%, a figure administrators described as the highest taxing option available under current parameters. Board members said the submission is necessary to preserve eligibility for a state tax-levy incentive program while the district continues to work through final numbers.
Superintendent Dr. Piscara told the board the district is filing tonight to “make sure that we have access” to potential additional state funds and to meet the county deadline for tentative budgets. A board member summarized the purpose: submitting a tentative budget preserves the district’s ability to receive any state funds that materialize; the board may adjust the final tax rate before the scheduled adoption meeting.
The motion to approve items 8.1–8.16 (the finance and facilities block that included the tentative budget) was moved and seconded and passed on a roll-call vote. The board recorded affirmative votes from the members called during roll call.
Board members asked for clarifications about line items in the submission, including item 8.13 (homeless tuition) and a newly opened investment account described during the meeting as a vehicle to hold bond proceeds temporarily to earn interest until projects begin. On the homeless-tuition question, staff explained that when a student becomes domiciled in another town for a year, that town becomes responsible for tuition, and the district will bill the student’s home municipality in the interim.
Facilities staff also flagged item 8.15, noting a locker-room floor that may contain small amounts of mercury; the district will section off the area and remove the floor during spring break as a precaution. That item was part of the finance and facilities block that the board approved.
Superintendent Dr. Piscara and board members repeatedly framed the vote as preserving options: the 9.3% figure represents a tentative maximum option the board is authorized to submit now; the board said it can lower the levy before final adoption. The board is scheduled to adopt a final budget at a special meeting on May 6.
Outcome and next steps: the tentative budget was approved for submission to the county; the administration will continue refining details and return to the board for final adoption at the May 6 meeting.
