Letter to the Editor: BOE President Explains Next Step in Budget Process

To the taxpayers, parents, and students of Scotch Plains and Fanwood,

After the defeat of the school budget yesterday, I thought it important that I reach out to you. Based on internet posts, e-mails and curbside chatter, there are many rumors already circulating as to what the impact of the budget defeat will mean. This is causing undo stress on many of our parents and has already begun to pit the "yes" voters against the "no" voters.

As has been outlined on Patch.com and shortly in the SPF Times, the process includes the following: 

• Our business administrator will be sending a copy of the school budget and other information to the councils of each community. This information will list expenditures by line item showing current year expenses and next year's expected costs. Any deviation from one year to the next year will have an explanation. 
• Representatives from the Board of Education will meet with the two councils to discuss these expenditures. 
• The councils will then make a recommendation as to a new tax levy.
• The impact of this new levy will result in an updated spending plan for our district. 

This is simplifying the process so that our residents understand what lies ahead in the coming weeks.

Let me assure our parents that regardless of any impending reductions to this budget, our district is committed to delivering the best education to our students in a caring and safe environment.

At this time, we do not know the amount of the reduction, but as has been shared with the public, we will be looking towards areas with the least educational impact. As difficult as it may be for many of us, this will include areas within non-instructional work, athletics, fine arts and, based on enrollments, possibly programs. As you may recall, our original budget included $1.2M of reductions including administrative, secretarial, maintenance, contracted services, summer curriculum work, as well as equipment and supplies.

We understand that any area that will be affected will have stakeholders who will feel this pain. Our attempt is to be as equitable as we believe we can be in distributing the changes we will incur.

During this time, our negotiations are continuing with our teachers, supervisors, and principals. As has also been publicly stated, the board will continue to seek contributions to the budget gap through these negotiated settlements.

Please keep in mind that however you voted, the election is now over and we MUST move forward. The best thing we can do for our communities and our students is to continue to model civil behavior and to work together to find common ground.

Thanks to all who turned out to vote yesterday. The turnout was unprecedented and I would hope that you will continue to remain engaged with what your schools are doing.

Trip Whitehouse

Board of Education President