The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (BOE) voted to approve an $89.7 million schools budget at its regular monthly meeting last week. The budget will result in a school tax increase of $183.38 on the average Princeton home assessed at $800,560.

Two budget waivers allow the district to exceed the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap, made possible by increased healthcare costs and rising enrollment: the health benefit waiver amounts to $413,110 and the rising enrollment waiver amounts to some $1.7 million.

The district last qualified for the health waiver in 2011-12. In that year, taxes also increased beyond the two percent cap, to 2.85 percent.

The enrollment waiver could be raised in its entirety during the 2015-16 tax year or “rolled over” the course of the next three years. It was recommended that this money be raised over three years with $425,000 used for the upcoming school year and the balance of $1.3 million banked for future needs in 2016 and 2017.

In his presentation to the Board, Superintendent Steve Cochrane noted that enrollment grew by 120 students in the current school year and that enrollment is expected to increase by some 100 additional students in the next school year; 70 of them at the high school. A further increase of some 90 students is anticipated the following school year.

The extent to which these numbers may be affected by the 280-unit AvalonBay development at the former Princeton Hospital site is not yet known.

The 2015-16 budget includes provision for more teachers, chiefly at Princeton High School, as well as technology and textbooks.

Questioning the Timeline

During the meeting’s public comment session, one member of the public raised an issue that has come up at previous Board meetings. She questioned the efficacy of having the final vote on the budget during the same meeting at which a public hearing on the budget takes place.

“Are you going to revise the budget as we sit here?” the Board was asked. In response, Board President Andrea Spalla said: “That’s entirely possible.”

The Board was urged to consider adjusting the calendar to allow more time for public comment. It was suggested that this might be advantageous to the Board, which would then have more time to contemplate public comment before it votes.

Retirees

At Monday’s meeting, the Board recognized a number of retirees including 25-year veterans Betsy Gilbert and Mary McNamara. Ms. Gilbert is executive secretary-curriculum and instruction. Ms. McNamara teaches English at John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS). Both will retire as of July 1. On that date, JWMS Assistant Principal Harvey Highland will also retire after 14 years of service, and JWMS mathematics teacher Valerie Newhall, after 15 years of service. The district’s Student Services-Assistance Comptroller, Faith Rich, will retire after 30 years of service.

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be at John Witherspoon Middle School, Tuesday, May 26, at 8 p.m.