Preliminary Budget Set For Lakehurst Schools

Photo by Chris Lundy

  LAKEHURST – Board of Education members listened to a tentative budget presentation during its most recent meeting held at the gymnasium of the school district’s elementary school.

  Business Administrator/Board Secretary Barry Parliman noted that “there is no fluff in this budget.”

  Expenditures in the school district’s general fund are $8,195,249, special revenues came to $1,536,238, debt service is $105,040 coming to a total of $9,836,527.

  In the column for less anticipated revenues the general fund came to $6,949,046, $1,536,238 in special revenues, zero debt service and a total of $8,485,284.

  Taxes to be raised had the general fund at $1,246,203. Zero special revenues, debt service of $105,040 coming to a total of $1,351,243.

  The Board voted to submit the preliminary budget to the County Superintendent for review and approval. A public hearing on the spending plan will be held at 7 p.m. on April 28.

  Board members also approved the paying of bills in the amount of $338,921.68. Also approved was a waiver of the school district community service requirement for all students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

  Superintendent Loren Fuhring said this was due to less volunteer activities going on due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Due to the pandemic, service hours from the American Legion, a church aren’t happening.”

  Board member Deborah Pease who is also the board’s liaison with the PTA reported that the organization’s crumb cake fundraiser saw the sale of more than 300 crumb cakes. She also reported that students who took part in a leprechaun’s program as a Saint Patrick’s Day activity and won a prize would get gift certificates at the local McDonald’s restaurant.

  It was reported that yearbook ad sales were off so far this year. “We are committed to sell a hundred we are up to 30 for the 8th grade yearbooks. We are still light in advertising and yearbook sales,” Pease said.

  The Board also approved a resolution urging relief from increased costs to school districts resulting from the implementation of “Chapter 44” which Governor Phil Murphy signed on July 1, 2020. This reduces the health care contributions for certain school employees who elect the newly created New Jersey Educators Health Plan or the Garden State Health Plan.

  Teachers in the audience at the meeting noted with regret, as did the board, the request of retirement of Shirley Seaman, a paraprofessional in the school district. Her request was approved and will take effect on April 1.

  Brianna Palladino, a paraprofessional Step 3 was hired effective March 31 through June 30 pending completion of each criminal history check.

  Spring recess will run until April 9 and the third marking period will end on April 16.