Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Closter board unanimously approves $610,474 budget amendment, accepts $140,000 PTO donation
Summary
The Closter Board of Education on Aug. 27 approved an amendment to the 2024–25 budget to appropriate $610,474 in additional state aid (Extraordinary Aid and Non-Public Transportation Aid), accepted a $140,000 donation from the Closter PTO, and approved a grant increase for High‑Impact Tutoring.
The Closter Board of Education approved an amendment to the 2024–25 budget on Aug. 27 that appropriated $610,474 in additional state aid, chiefly $596,391 in Extraordinary Aid and $14,083 in Non‑Public Transportation Aid, a move the superintendent said allows the district to allocate one‑time needs without raising local taxes.
Superintendent Vincent McHale presented the amendment and the appropriation plan, which directs the added state aid to special education tuition, behavioral professional services, maintenance and custodial needs, additional classroom staffing for grades 6–8, and technology and classroom supplies. The motion passed by roll call; the trustees voting yes were Ms. Yeoh, Ms. Salamea‑Cross, Mr. Choi, Ms. Finkelstein, Ms. Kwon and Ms. Li; there were no opposing votes.
Why it matters: The board noted the state aid amounts were uncertain during budget development; formally recognizing the Extraordinary Aid and non‑public transportation reimbursements enables the district to program the funds for immediate needs including special education tuition and classroom supports.
The board also accepted, “with gratitude,” a $140,000 donation from the Closter PTO to support unspecified district programs. That motion likewise passed unanimously during the Finance portion of the agenda.
In related action, trustees approved the acceptance of an 8% increase in the district's High‑Impact Tutoring Grant (raising the award from $67,680 to $73,094) and extended the grant term through June 30, 2025. Mr. McHale described the increase as additional support targeted to grades 3 and 4.
Other board business in the same block of motions included approval of monthly financial reports and bills, a sole‑source purchase of JAMF Pro licenses for the district's Apple device management, and authorization to contract with Centered Solutions for Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) support (six hours per week at $150/hour). The motions were presented by Ms. Yeoh as chair of the Finance and Physical Plant Committee and approved by the full board.
The board president closed the financial business after trustees confirmed that the district will continue to exclude uncertain state aid from the baseline budget until those amounts are finalized and will program new funds through committee review before final appropriation.
