Faced with massive projected budget shortfalls, Evesham Township School District hosted a meeting on Thursday night to discuss plans for potential restructuring of school zones, layoffs, and even a school closure.
The plan is laid out in the district’s Preliminary Budget Presentation for 2011 – 2012.
Here’s the overview of the presentation:
Over the past two years, the district reports a total loss of $9.3 million in total funding. Their state aid has been reduced by $6.7 million since 2009 and their 2010 – 11 enrollment is down by 719 students since 2002 – 03, according to the report.
At worst—with no tax increase—they expect a 2011 – 12 budget shortfall of $5.24 million. Even with a 2% tax increase, Evesham thinks its shortfall will still be $4.22 million. Furthermore, these numbers assume that the governor’s office does not further reduce state aid.
In total, the school district proposes to cut over 80 positions, including the 23 positions cut if the Florence V. Evans Elementary School is closed, which would save the district over $1 millions dollars.
All in all, a projected total of $5.85 million in costs would be reduced in 2011 – 12 if the proposed reorganization goes through—a reported total of 8.29%.
If Evans closes, many students will transfer to DeMasi Elementary School, and those from Colts Run will have to walk.
Nevertheless, Evesham Township School District wants to preserve all instructional programs, maintain current class sizes for kindergarten through third grade, and “continue the current standard of educational excellence” for the 2011 – 12 budget year.
Similarly, the district has proposed other hopefully profitable initiatives, such as tuition-based fill-day kindergarten pilots, encouraging advertising and corporate sponsorships, and considering privatizing of food services and payroll processing.
The presentation took place Thursday night at DeMasi Middle School at 6 p.m. A couple hundred parents, teachers and staff appeared.
The superintendent told the crowd that enrollment is down 700 students and with a loss in state aid, there are few options.
"I'd really like the board to consider other options," said Diana DeCaesar of Marlton.
"We're taking 70% of our budget cuts from the middle school. That just appalls me."
