Council Passes $1.25 Million Reduction

In front of a packed house at the Senior Center, the Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution tonight reducing the school-board budget by $1.25 million. 

The measure will not require additional staff or program cuts, and it will eliminate the $100 increase for the average homeowner proposed by the school board.  Instead, the school tax rate will drop about $15 versus last year.

Along with the reduction, the Council also recommended additional measures--mostly reductions to reserve accounts and use of surplus--that would allow the school board to restore several teaching positions and sports/extracurricular programs. 

Under the proposal, the board could either restore 15 teaching jobs or a combination of six teaching jobs, the adult high school, and sports/extracurricular programs.  Whether to follow these recommendations is up to the board, as only the $1.25 million reduction is binding.

A host of teachers, administrators, and members of the public spoke about the cuts, as well as whether the school board should seek a wage freeze or other concessions.

Given the disparity between the school board's proposed budget and the Council's reductions, many of those addressing the Council also questioned the credibility of the original budget prepared by Superintendent of School Jose Negron and his administration.

Grant School Principal Leo Whalen responded to suggestions that staff  "do the right thing" and make wage concessions by pointing out that staff members do the right thing every day in the schools.

Others had a different take. Resident Derryck White pointed out how those in the private sector are facing unprecedented hard times and how he himself took a wage cut before his company declared bankruptcy and he lost his job.

South Plainfield Education Association President Louise Mruz criticized several of the cuts, more specifically, those reducing the money available for teacher raises.  She also questioned using savings from payments teachers will begin making toward their healthcare in July. 

The Legislature in April passed a law requiring teachers and other school employees to contribute 1.5% of their salaries toward their healthcare, but the state teachers' union is suing to overturn the statute.  The Council chose to use the savings nonethless, since the law is currently in effect.

While Republican Councilman Ray Rusnak was credited with leading the budget review process, the plan received bipartisan support, including that of Mayor Charles Butrico, a Democrat.  In fact, several members of the public complimented the Council for developing a plan that would cut taxes and bring back staff and programs.

To read the Courier News coverage, click here.