Schools

School Spending Proposals Face Increased Scrutiny

The Board Education approved hiring a director for the Performance Arts Center and new textbooks after extensive dialogue.

Facing funding restrictions and diminishing state aid, school spending in Bernards has become a much more difficult challenge.

At the Monday, July 26 Board of Education meeting, a list of routine expenditures met with heightened discussion and debate, as some board members spoke about the need to control cost measures.

Other than the hiring of a new Performance Arts Center director (see previous coverage), much of the discussion occurred about spending to replace outdated textbooks. Board Vice-President Bev Darvin Cwerner reported for the curriculum committee that the district would like to replace textbooks in ninth grade conceptual and mathematical biology courses. At $78 per unit, the books would cost the district about $28,000 total and would be used interchangeably between the two classes.

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Some board members needed convincing before signing off on the purchase. Board member Ken Wilke said that normally, he would say to go ahead with the purchase, but in the current climate, $28,000 is a lot of money. "I'm trying to understand what has changed in biology since the last book," Wilke said.

Cwerner said that the current books were outdated and well past the point of needed repair or replacement. By using the same book for two biology courses, the district also expects to save money in the long-run by having the ability to secure extra textbooks by borrowing from the other class instead of ordering more. The item passed unanimously after the discussion.

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Efforts to repave the Cedar Hill school parking lot also took on added cost-saving measures due to a unique shared services contract between the school board and the municipal government. The township's engineers agreed to a deal with the district to work on the project, which Board of Education finance chair Bill Koch expected to start this week.

The project is expected to cost $300,000 for the repaving job, and another $120,000 for repairing the sidewalks and curbs. Using the township engineers saved the district a 10 percent architect fee and other preparation costs, according to school business administrator Nick Markarian.

The district also approved funds for a number of capital projects after demonstrated need. Oak Street School will receive a new chimney liner, after the old one fell out of repair. And the William Annin Middle School cafeteria might received some paved blocks and tables to help the current crowded conditions. The money would come from a $214,200 rebate from professional services contract Aramark that must be used within the food service area, according to Koch.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article said that the Board was considered expanding the William Annin Middle School Cafeteria. The schools are discussing adding paved blocks and tables, but are not considered expanding the cafeteria at this time.


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