The Mt. Ephraim Board of Education approved the proposed 2011-2012 school budget with a tax levy of $5,234,116 on Monday, 3/28/11, during its public budget hearing. The Board was able to keep the proposed budget below the state mandated tax levy cap. The proposed $102,630 increase will allow the District to maintain existing programs and staff. The Board and Administration worked closely on the proposed budget to ensure that the no programs or staffing will be sacrificed as in past years.
The Mt. Ephraim School District has taken many cost saving measures to ensure that our children are receiving a quality education while keeping expenses in check in these tough economic times, despite ever decreasing state funding. The District has participated in the sharing of services with other districts and our borough in areas such as insurance (joint insurance funds), purchasing (supplies, utilities etc.), maintenance personnel and transportation. In fact, the District’s Maintenance Supervisor has saved Mt. Ephraim an estimated $100,000 in repairs/maintenance costs by doing the work himself. He installed a heating system in the police station, easily saving the borough $8000.00 on the project. Examples like this are one of the many ways in which the District is working to control costs for the school district as well as the Borough.
Administrative costs are also continually evaluated. The District has asked our administrators to hold dual positions so that the District will not have to hire additional staff. The District’s Superintendent serves as the Principal of Mary Bray, the Principal of Kershaw is also the Director of Curriculum and the Business Administrator also holds the position of Board Secretary. The cost savings associated with not having to pay the additional salaries associated with these required positions are obvious. However, what might not be obvious is having administrators on site with a vested interest in our children’s safety and education as well saving the district money. Our Business Administrator was able to save over $100,000 by meticulously reviewing state approved tuition adjustments that were incorrectly billed to the District last year. This is a direct savings for the district and ultimately the taxpayer.
Board members are always searching for ideas on how to reduce the cost of education in the district while still maintaining the quality of education that Mt. Ephraim schools are known for. School Choice is one of the newest ideas that the Mt. Ephraim Board of Education and School District are pursuing. The District has applied to be granted School Choice status and are anxiously awaiting acceptance. The Board hopes this program will allow the district to bring in quality students with the added benefit of much needed tax relief in the form of school choice aid. One only needs to look at our Brooklawn neighbor and see how much of an impact School Choice can have on keeping cost and taxes low while still maintaining a strong academic program.
The Board is always seeking ideas on how we can be more effective and cost efficient in our mission in providing a great education to the present and future children of Mt. Ephraim. Please come and support your school district at the upcoming budget vote and school board elections on April 27th.
Dominick Cipolone
Mt. Ephraim School Board President