By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Freehold Township K-8 School District Board of Education has introduced a budget that will pay for the operation of the school district during the 2017-18 school year.
Following discussion among district administrators and board members, a $78.7 million budget was introduced. The budget, which can be amended prior to its final adoption, will be supported by a tax levy of $68.7 million to be paid by Freehold Township’s residential and commercial property owners, $4.26 million in state aid and $2.1 million from surplus funds (savings), according to information provided by the district.
The school district’s 2016-17 budget totaled $76.8 million and was supported by a tax levy of $66.6 million. The average home in the township was assessed at $380,500, the school tax rate was $1.10 per $100 of assessed valuation and the owner of that home paid $4,185 in K-8 school taxes.
The school tax rate for 2017-18 will remain flat at $1.10 per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home in the township is now assessed at $388,600. The owner of that home will pay $4,274 in school taxes over the next 12 months, according to district administrators.
Robert DeVita, the board’s business administrator, explained how the tax levy will rise, but the tax rate will remain stable.
“There are two factors in the tax rate calculation that changed to the benefit of the district. First, the township receives from the state a business personal property tax adjustment.
“This money goes to the township to offset a portion of the school district’s taxes that need to be collected. This year that amount increased from $633,923 to $660,768. It is not a huge increase, but the trend had been in the past few years for this number to go down.
“The second factor is the township’s assessed value. The figure I obtained from the township’s tax assessor will increase by $126.2 million, or 2.1 percent. You divide the taxes to be collected, less the business personal property tax assessment, by the assessed value of $6.17 billion to obtain the tax rate. The increase in the assessed value keeps the rate flat. If the assessed value had gone down it would add to the tax rate,” DeVita said.
School taxes are one component of a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Monmouth County taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes, Freehold Township municipal taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments. Individuals pay more or less in taxes depending on the assessed value of their home and/or property.
According to district administrators, 10 new school buses will be purchased to replace vehicles that must be retired under state law and $600,000 will be used from the district’s emergency reserve fund for additional equipment relating to school security.
“We worked diligently to prepare an educationally sound and fiscally responsible budget,” Superintendent of Schools Ross Kasun said. “I am grateful for the work of our entire administrative team and board of education, as their efforts ensured that we built a budget which continues to promote excellence for our students while being mindful of the tax impact on our community.”
Board President Christopher Marion, Vice President Jason Levy and board members Michael Amoroso, Kay Poklemba-Holtz, Edward Hudak, Michelle Lambert, Elena O’Sullivan and Jennifer Patten voted in favor of introducing the budget.
Board member Daniel DiBlasio voted no on the budget’s introduction.
“I believe we could have done better in controlling expenses and I do not believe this budget is sustainable,” DiBlasio said after the meeting.
A public hearing on the budget will be held during the board meeting that has been scheduled for 8 p.m. April 25 at the board offices.
