A Cape May County school district is combatting a budget shortfall by cutting all student sports and firing five teachers.
The Dennis Township School District announced the cuts late Tuesday after the school board met and came up with a plan to keep the K-8 school district with about 615 kids afloat.
Here is an explanation from the district's website of the cuts and increases to property taxes:
Although the public vote on the Dennis Township School District budget has been eliminated this year, just as many difficult decisions are required of us to create a viable budget. The property tax rate will increase .024 cents to .849 for general fund and debt service, due in part to state aid cuts of $367,096 as well as the rising costs of running a school. Board members reduced the original proposed budget and tax levy by $50,000 at the Public Hearing to assist local taxpayers. The state aid cuts and the Board's effort to hold down the tax increase led to a reduction of five and a half staff positions from teachers and maintenance/custodians for the 2012-2013 school year. In addition, Co-Curricular activities and all sports programs were once again eliminated. Busing for all high school students will be brought back in-house at a minimal cost. The Preschool Disabled program is expanded with assistance from a $50,000 Special Education Achievement Award. This budget increase equals an annual increase of $48.74 on a property assessed at $200,000.
Sports and other after school activities were also cut two years ago but were reinstated back last year, NBC10 Doug Shimell learned.
With enrollment still low and less state aid, once again the programs were chopped.
