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“The impact to Shore Regional is a 94.7% or $744,303 reduction in state aid.”

One of the greatest challenges a school district faces is the structuring of a fiscally responsible budget. This challenge was more difficult this year as Governor Chris Christie cut direct aid to public school districts by $820 million. The impact to Shore Regional is a 94.7% or $744,303 reduction in state aid. The creation of Shore Regional’s 2010-2011 budget was once again accomplished in accordance with New Jersey Law A4. This law strictly limits the impact that a school tax levy has on taxpayers by capping at 4% the amount a school is permitted to increase from the prior year’s tax levy. Shore Regional’s strict adherence to Law A4 allows the district to return $89,092 of excess surplus from the 2008-2009 school year to the taxpayers in the form of direct tax relief.

Whereas in the past expense-focused budgeting entailed the compiling of expenditures and the creation of a revenue-driven plan, the caps on Shore’s main sources of revenue have brought about a philosophical shift that allows the district to distinctly define exactly how much revenue it can expect. By keeping in mind revenue caps that cannot be exceeded, the district is able to efficiently budget for expenditures within the constraints of available revenue. This methodology, along with the drastic cut in state aid, forced the district to critically review curriculum requirements, enrollment trends, physical plant concerns, transportation issues, and projected staffing needs to conscientiously account for each dollar presented in the proposed budget.

During this year’s budget-planning process, Shore Regional High School’s Board of Education and administration were faced with the daunting task of cutting over $700,000 of staff positions. Despite these

cuts in positions, all programs were left intact. Not a single program was cut, thus limiting the impact, if any, on the students. In the face of this economic uncertainty and these staggering cuts, Shore Regional has furthered its obligation to be prudent in spending and fiscally responsible by creating a budget that represents a minimal increase to the towns that we serve.

In light of the current economic constraints, the 2010-2011 budget remains capable of achieving the Board of Education’s desire to effectively compete with neighboring districts and that all of Shore’s students are well prepared for life beyond high school.

We are proud of the many accomplishments that the students of Shore Regional have achieved. We assure you that despite the cuts in dollars, the learning will go on just as well as it always has. As our elected officials and administrators explore alternative mechanisms for funding, they always remain cognizant of the main focus of Shore Regional High School, the children.

The establishment of Shore Regional High School’s 2010-2011 budget came about through respectful consideration for the overall impact on the taxpayer and the needs of Shore Regional’s students. The pages herein of this newsletter present the budget in multiple graphs, charts and statistics for your review.

As always, you are encouraged to participate in the budget vote on TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010. We thank you for your continued support of Shore Regional. If you have any comments or questions, please visit Shore Regional’s website at www.shoreregional.org or contact the Business Office at (732) 222-9300.

Planning & Constructing the Budget

SHORE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT April 2010

VOTE!

ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010

POLLING HOURS: 4:00PM – 9:00PM  

VOTE!

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Local Property Taxes $14,224,171 State Aid 51,063 Surplus 89,092 Tuition 30,000 Transportation 226,450 Miscellaneous 38,100 (Interest, etc.) TOTAL GENERAL FUND REVENUES $14,658,876

Total Taxpayer Liability Dollar Impact - Average Assessed Home

PROPOSED BUDGET BY PROGRAM

Municipality Cost Monmouth Beach Increase 1.2 ¢ Oceanport Increase 9.8 ¢ Sea Bright Increase 1.2 ¢ West Long Branch Increase 1.5 ¢

GENERAL FUND REVENUES

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Salaries The SREA contract will be entering its first of 3 years. The new contract resulted in a 3.95% salary increase for each of the 3 years plus contributions towards medical benefits. This represents one of the lowest negotiated increases in Monmouth County.

Employee Benefits As compared to prior years, the District expects a reasonable increase. This budget also includes state mandated contributions to the Public Employees Retirement System.

Transportation This represents over forty in-house and contracted bus routes including special education bussing. Shared service initiatives with our sending districts have saved money in this area despite salaries and MCVTS bus routes. Tuition While we expect fewer out of district placements, private schools for the disabled tuition rates outpace public schools. Also, Monmouth County Vocational Technical Schools & Academies (HighTech, Allied Health, MAST, Comm. High & Bio Tech) pass along tuition costs in excess of $500,000.

Supervision of Instruction, Textbooks, Supplies & Educational Media The District projects no new curriculum initiatives, however, all current programs will be maintained. The International Baccalaureate Program will begin

year four at Shore Regional. Generally, this program provides our students with an advantage when competing for college placements.

Utilities & Communications Due to cooperative purchasing agreements for electricity, natural gas and telephone service the

budget provides for a small increase in these areas. Co-Curricular and Athletics

Maintains current programs and activities at the same level as the 2009-10 school year. Food Service The Board outsourced the food service operations and shares a Manager with the sending Districts which has reduced the costly Board contribution.

Why are my taxes increasing when state aid was reduced by 94.7%? State Aid accounts for only 0.35% of Shore Regional’s total revenue. The revenue source that impacts your taxes, the “tax levy” is still increasing by the statutory 4%. This reduction in state aid puts a bigger burden on our local taxpayers. Why does the budget keep going up? As homeowners and businesses have seen their own operating expenses increase, so has the school district. However, we are unable to downsize the number of students or cut back necessary programs that provide the outstanding education that our students and community members have come to expect. Are there unnecessary expenditures in the budget? The administration strives to combine services with other districts whenever possible to heighten fiscal efficiencies. Utilization of joint insurance funds, procurement cooperatives, shared energy agreements and a regionalized transportation system all combine to increase the purchasing power of the District.

2010-2011 Budget Breakdown

Questions & Answers

Budget by Category Per Pupil Cost Comparison

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Shore Regional Board of Education: Dr. Anthony Moro, President Monmouth Beach Mr. Tadeusz “Ted” Szczurek, V.P. Oceanport Mr. David Baker Monmouth Beach Mrs. Nancy DeScenza Sea Bright Mrs. Beth Garrigal West Long Branch Mrs. Diane Merla West Long Branch Mr. Russell T. Olivadotti West Long Branch Mr. Ronald O’Neill West Long Branch Mr. Frank J. Pingitore Oceanport Mr. Paul Rolleri Oceanport Mr. Leonard G. Schnappauf, Superintendent Mr. Dennis W. Kotch, CPA, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

VOTER INFORMATION

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE

PAID Permit #10

W. Long Branch, NJ 07764

CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT POSTAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

Vote Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Polls open from 4 pm – 9 pm

The following candidates seek election to the Board of Education:

Town Candidate Term Status

Vote for one (1): Monmouth Beach Mr. David Baker 3 yrs. Incumbent

Vote for one (1): Oceanport Mr. Frank Pingitore 3 yrs. Incumbent

Vote for one (1): West Long Branch Mrs. Diane Merla 3 yrs. Incumbent

BALLOT QUESTION/POLLING LOCATIONS Budget - YES/NO: RESOLVED, that there should be raised for the General Fund $14,224,171 for the ensuing school year (2010-2011). Allocated among the constituent municipalities as follows:

Monmouth Beach Borough 3,537,922.44 + 1.2 cents Oceanport Borough 3,765,420.19 + 9.8 cents Sea Bright Borough 1,869,897.76 + 1.2 cents West Long Branch Borough 5,050,930.61 + 1.5 cents Total 14,224,171.00

District #1 District #2 District #3 District #4 District #5 District #6 West Long Branch Borough

Chemical & Truck #1

Community Ctr. (downstairs)

Community Ctr. (upstairs)

Community Ctr. (upstairs)

Community Ctr. (downstairs)

Old First United Methodist

Church Oceanport Old Wharf

House Port-Au-Peck

Fire House Community Ctr. Hook & Ladder

Fire House Port-Au-Peck

Fire House

Sea Bright Borough Hall Borough Hall Monmouth Beach Borough Hall Borough Hall