Mt. Ephraim schools update February 2012

                 By School Board President Dominick Cipolone

The Mount Ephraim School Board’s Negotiation Committee continues to meet with the teachers’ union (MEEA) to negotiate a new contract. We have had 2 meetings with a State mediator and are now at an impasse. Both parties have agreed to request that a State Fact Finder be appointed. The Board is also negotiating a new contract with the paraprofessional’s union (MEPA).

The Mount Ephraim Board of Education appreciates the hard work and dedication that the instructional staff and support staff have shown in our district. However, the school district must work within the state mandated 2% cap on local taxes. The budget cuts over the past few years have put our district in an even more difficult financial position.  It is our hope that we can reach an agreement that will allow us to maintain quality programs for the benefit of the students in our schools.  

The Mt. Ephraim School Board has approved full day kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. The full day program will give our kids a tremendous academic advantage that will hopefully lead to improved reading levels. The program has been approved for 6 school choice seats that will help to fund the program. The school choice program brings great students to the district while maintaining quality program and easing the financial burden to the tax payers of Mount Ephraim. There could possibly be 28 school choice children throughout the district.

The business office has been in the preliminary stages of preparing the budget for the 2012-2013 school year. The BOE has been reviewing sections of the budget at each regular meeting. Our business administrator, Melissa Raywood, explained how the district was able to decrease trash removal costs from $12,000 in 2008 to $3,800 in 2010-2011. Savings on these types of expenses are what allow us to maintain our program while staying under the 2% cap to local taxes.

The School Board always encourages residents to attend our monthly meetings. A schedule and other information can be found on the districts website at mtephraimschools.org.