Wildwood Schools Increase Tax Rate 2.6 Cents

WILDWOOD — Wildwood School District property owners will see a 2.6-cent tax rate increase mostly due to the nearly $900,000 loss in state aid for next year, according to a release issued by Superintendent Dennis Anderson on March 25.
“The past three years we have not asked the taxpayers of Wildwood for any increase in the school levy. This year we are asking for an increase to help offset the loss in state funds,” Anderson said.
“We will also be pulling money out of our maintenance reserve — which had been set aside for roof repairs, replacement of boilers, and items like that,” he continued. “We have no choice. We are doing everything we can to keep any tax increase to an absolute minimum.”
School board Administrator Greg Rohrman told the Herald the district would also be using money from its emergency reserve, which is there in case of significant increases in instruction or healthcare expenses. He said the district had built up funds in its reserves with the help of state and federal grants.
He noted the Wildwood High School building is 100 years old and its boilers are about 50.
“We maintain our facilities, but I hope we don’t lose a boiler or have to fix the roof,” he said.
Anderson’s release stated that the district would not be replacing some staff members who retire. Other cuts are expected in extra-curricular programs and maintenance projects.
“Right now, everything is on the table,” said Anderson. “There is a real possibility of additional layoffs.”
Wildwood schools are in the same boat that many other districts throughout the state are in because of Gov. Christopher Christie’s plan to withhold state aid from districts next year. Wildwood is set to lose $894,000 in state aid.
The district has proposed a $19.5 million budget, which is actually less that last school year’s total of $20.8 million. Of this year’s total $9.5 million is scheduled to be raised through taxes. Last year’s tax levy, however, was only $9.3 million.
The larger tax levy would increase the district’s tax rate from 51 cents last year to 53.6 cents this year. With that increase, a property owner whose home is assessed at $100,000 would receive a tax bill of $536 compared to $510 in the last budget.
In his release, Anderson stated that the state requires the schools to calculate their tax levy on a fiscal year basis (July to June), and that Wildwood collects the tax levy on a calendar year basis (January to December).
“This sometimes leads to misunderstandings about what we are asking for,” he said. “The taxpayers can be assured, however, that we are fully aware of the issues facing our city. We are not asking for a penny more in this budget than we need for the academic programs our children deserve.”
A public hearing on the budget is planned for March 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria of the Wildwood High School, 4300 Pacific Ave.