Califon Board approves tentative $3.33 million 2025–26 budget, ratifies teacher contract and OKs school calendar tweaks

The Califon Board of Education on March 19 approved a tentative $3,333,297 budget for the 2025–26 school year and ratified a finalized teacher contract, voting unanimously on a consolidated consent agenda.

The board’s tentative budget records total expenditures of $3,333,297 (General Fund $3,291,753; Special Revenues $41,544), anticipated revenues of $648,476 and taxes to be raised of $2,684,821. The board authorized submission of the budget to the Executive County Superintendent and authorized advertising and a public hearing on the budget, scheduled for April 30, 2025. The board also resolved to withdraw $40,000 from the district’s Maintenance Reserve and $14,800 from Capital Reserve for facility projects, including library/resource room carpet replacement and a hot-water‑heater replacement.

The budget and other consent-agenda items were approved as a package after motions by Board President Christopher Keiser and seconded by other members; the roll call recorded unanimous approval by the four members present: Keiser, Vice President Michael Reaves, Dr. Rebecca Kipp‑Newbold and Rita Lemley (Netz Sacro was absent).

The board approved a Memorandum of Agreement and Salary Guides between the Califon Education Association and the board, signed Feb. 19, 2025, finalizing teacher contract terms. The board also approved a bill list dated March 19, 2025 for $233,441.46 and authorized acceptance of K–8 tuition students for 2025–26, including a $7,000 contract for Student ID# 670560.

On curriculum items, the board accepted the February health report, approved a school‑wide Walking School Bus program to run April 8, 2025 at no cost to students or the district, and adjusted the 2024–25 calendar to give back four unused emergency closing days by scheduling June 12–16 as early‑dismissal/make‑up days for graduation, dinner dance/lock‑in and last day of school.

The board’s motion language included several references to travel and reimbursement limits. The resolution reiterates that regular business travel for staff may be capped at $150 per staff member before prior board approval is required and that per‑employee regular business travel shall not exceed $1,500, and it instructs the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary to track and record travel and reimbursements. Separately, the consent-language records a maximum travel‑related expenditure figure; the transcript contains multiple figures in the same passage (a $10,000 mention, a $4,100 figure and a later $15,000 maximum). The board approved language authorizing travel and related expense reimbursements to be included in the tentative budget and directed the Business Administrator to ensure the maximum amount is not exceeded.

During the open public‑comment period, resident Kathy Smith asked whether the Borough Council should issue a proclamation recognizing the girls basketball team; the board said a proclamation would be “a nice gesture” and indicated they would discuss the idea further.

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. and adjourned at 7:14 p.m. Board Secretary Matthew Herzer prepared the minutes.