Flat State School Funding Means Tax Increase for Woodbine Residents

WOODBINE – Woodbine Elementary School Superintendent Anthony DeVico responded to an inquiry about the school board’s decision to increase the school tax. 
Woodbine as a municipality has not imposed a local purpose tax increase for 27 years. The school tax increase means that for every $100,000 of assessed value the corresponding tax increase is $17.35 per quarter.
DeVico noted that the state monitors who have been sent from Trenton to supervise school operations had not imposed the new rate.
“This rate has been approved by the Board of Education. The monitor has not needed to impose this rate. The causes for the most recent tax increases are not primarily related to any school deficits. The district has a small budgetary fund balance.
“There are several reasons for the tax increase,” explained DeVico. “We are facing a combination of increasing costs and flat or decreasing state funding. State funding accounts for approximately 65 percent of the general budget of Woodbine. State funding has remained stagnant over the past several years, and even next year, state funding for Woodbine’s general fund will be flat, while funding for the preschool program will decrease by over $60,000.
“To heighten our financial need, resident enrollment from Woodbine according to official figures has increased from 211 in October 2010 to 246 in October 2016 for K-12th grade, an over 16 percent increase over two years.
“When the last count was done a decline in enrollment was recorded, but this was really an anomaly rather than a trend. This increase in enrollment has allowed the board to increase the tax rate above the 2 percent limit.”
DeVico continued, “We’re required by state law to keep class sizes at 21 students or fewer from grades K-3, which means we’ve had to hire an additional teacher for second grade next year.
“In addition, other operational costs continue to rise, particularly with special education, tuition, and employee benefits including an 8.4 percent increase for 2017. With no increase in state funding, the burden has fallen on the taxpayers.
“We try to be as fiscally prudent as possible, and despite these increases, the district still spends less than the state average per pupil, about $3,000 less.
“To save on costs, Woodbine has been involved in both shared services and outsourcing to save on costs. This school year alone, Woodbine joined efforts with Dennis Township to transport Woodbine students to both Middle Township High School and Cape May Tech. Woodbine also made the decision to outsource paraprofessional services to the district. These changes resulted in over $100,000 of savings.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.