School Budget to be Unveiled Monday

The Board of Education of the School District of the Chathams will hold an open finance meeting to discuss the proposed 2013-14 school budget at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Last year's tax levy rose by 2.3 percent for the school budget, with the 0.3 percent over the two percent tax cap permitted because of dispensations for specific reasons such as the rising cost of health care and growth in the district.

The school board will have to approve the budget before it can go for public vote on Tuesday, April 16.

Since the borough and township school districts merged in 1988, the public has never failed to pass a school budget.

Personnel

The board will also vote on a resolution authorizing the retirement of Darlene Bakur from Lafayette Avenue School, Katherine Grusenski from Washington Avenue School and Susan Sylvester from the Special Services department, all effective July 1, 2013.

A separate item, if approved, will authorize the resignation of Kathryn Stefko from Washington Avenue School effective March 8.

The board will also vote on two spring coaches: Christopher Carroll as the varsity baseball coach with no salary, and Clint McDonough as the assistant boys varsity coach for a salary of $5,855.

McDonough will also be voted as a possible emergent hire, along with John Constantinou and Julie Caufield.

Finance

The board will also vote on whether to appoint the firm of DiCara/Rubino Architects of Wayne to help the district prepare for the Local Government Audit Grant Application and Energy Savings Implementation Plan. The cost to the district is not to exceed $20,000.

Another item up for approval by the board will approve .

The board will open for the public finance meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will take place at Chatham Middle School. A full copy of the agenda can be found attached to this article.