Public Invited to Virtual Open House to Learn About Mendham Township School District’s 2022-2023 Budget
Public Invited to Virtual Open House to Learn About
Mendham Township School District’s 2022-2023 Budget
The proposed budget expands educational offerings and funds new staff positions to meet student needs
Mendham Township, N.J. — The Mendham Township School District and Board of Education invites the public to two virtual open houses on Thursday, April 21 to learn and ask questions about the proposed 2022-2023 school budget.
Residents can join online at either 12 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. to hear from Superintendent Sal Constantino, Business Administrator Donna Mosner, and members of the Board of Education.
12 p.m. Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82557536342?pwd=R1Z3OSthZkZZS2VKUUNJcTVaZitWZz09
7:30 p.m. Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84773195564?pwd=Sld2UVNyaUs5V1hvdVhyclNld2hJQT09
MTSD is proposing a $20.9 million operating budget for the 2022-2023 school year. The proposed school budget increases the local tax levy by 1.45% for residents in Mendham Township. This is under the 2% budget cap allowed by the state and is possible because of the district’s proactive efforts to generate revenue and share services.
The proposed budget also continues the district’s fiscal responsibility and commitment to high-quality education for every student. Highlights include:
- Expanded educational offerings, especially in the areas of STEM, Social Emotional Learning, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- New staff positions and more time for existing staff to help the district manage enrollment growth and the need to expand programs.
- Technology infusion across the curriculum
- Professional development for staff in the areas of reading strategies/instruction, special education, complex math problem solving, New Jersey Learning Standards, and DEI
The budget proposal includes a slight tax increase; a home assessed at Mendham Township’s average ($874,151) can expect a $202.50 increase spread over a year. Another way to think about the tax impact is that for every $100,000 of assessed home value (different, and much less, than market value), a resident can expect to pay an additional $23.17.
The district can minimize the impact despite inflationary pressures because of its proactive dual approach to fiscal responsibility: cost control and revenue generation. MTSD has started to see numerous financial benefits from providing transportation services to surrounding communities, creating shared service agreements that reduce administrative costs, bringing special education and substitute teacher programs in-district, and participating in solar energy projects that provide energy savings over time.
The district invites residents to learn more about the proposal by reading Frequently Asked Questions and attending the open houses on April 21.
The district and board seek feedback from residents at the virtual forum and board meetings in April. During that time, the district will monitor conditions that could prompt changes to the budget and will hear the public’s opinion before the board formally considers the budget on May 3.
