Long Branch Superintendent Says No Tax Increase

LONG BRANCH - The Board of Education meeting held on Wednesday night was topped off with Long Branch Superintendent Joseph Ferraina’s announcement that the 2011-12 school budget “does not require additional taxes” above the previous year level.

“For the fourth year in a row there will be a zero increase,” Ferraina said.

The 2011-12 Long Branch School District budget, which has not yet been introduced, totals $74,517,816. Of that total, $31,570,923 - a zero percent increase from last year - will be raised from local taxpayers.

Ferraina explained that the budget must first be sent to the county superintendent for approval in early March, before it can be introduced. He said the budget will be presented to the public in full detail on March 23.

Once the budget is introduced by the Board of Education, the public will vote on whether it should be approved in April. If a majority of the residents vote to approve the budget, it will be adopted by the board. If a majority of residents do not vote to approve the budget, it will be up to the Long Branch Council  to suggest cuts and lower the tax levy.

Gov. Chris Christie promised an additional $250 million in state aid for New Jersey's public schools during his Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Address on Tuesday. Ferraina said he was happy about the increase in school state aid.

"We have not seen an increase in state aid for several years," Ferraina said. "If you get more money, (budgeting) is always easier."

Long Branch Schools received $37,558,629 in state aid for the 2011-2012 school year, an increase of $760,185 from the current school year.

Ferraina said he and the the board of education worked on this year's budget.

"We all worked together to continue the long-term process of delivering the same services while keeping an eye on the economy," Ferraina said.

Ferraina, who is retiring at the end of this school year, said he has always kept an eye on the future when it comes to budgeting.

"We are looking at today and five years down the road," Ferraina said.