OCEAN: Recently the Ocean Township Schools shared concerns about budgets, and our good friend Stephanie from TapInto attended the meeting. Do read on to see how this district plans to accommodate learning with decreased funding.

WARETOWN, NJ – Ocean Township Schools shared their concerns regarding meeting budgets starting a few years ago. The magnitude of the problem may be more startling than many local residents even imagine. George Gahles, Business Administrator of the Ocean Township School District, presented the 2021-2022 budget at last night’s meeting. Key numbers regarding the district’s revenue and expenditures are found here. School board members asked Gahles questions before the public hearing opened to residents and staff members. Board of Education member Kelly Zuzic requested the business administrator to clarify the reduction in state aid to the district. She had an even more specific inquiry that put things into perspective.

For FULL Story, Click HERE–> https://www.tapinto.net/towns/barnegat-slash-waretown/articles/ocean-township-schools-budget-hearings-startling-revelations?fbclid=IwAR1G6-dOenUlUVerFlEICR1UbxFCM6uTTNJQ_t0GVOAdY55s4zwUZxDSYgQ

“How long do you think we can continue with those decreases and sustain ourselves,” asked Zuzic.

According to Gahles, the district lost an adjusted amount of approximately $970,000 in state aid. This year, state aid decreased by $1.6 million that was adjusted.

“We budgeted for that by taking General Fund reductions, as well as using some reserves in order to maintain a fairly stable environment for the school and for the kids,” explained Gahles. “Next year, we have about another $2.4 million left in adjusting – but we also have to pay back reserves.”

Fast forward to 2025, and the total bill moves to about $3.5 million, which may require the district to make some strategic decisions about tax increases. School budgets are capped at 2 percent — anything higher would have to go to the voters as far as a local referendum.

The bottom line is that without additional state aid or increased local tax revenue, Ocean Township Schools could be looking at a future insolvency situation.

“We will remain solvent for two years,” reassured Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Lommerin. “We are still going to have to make some more cuts next year.”

Ocean Township Schools decided to meet their reduced revenue this year by laying off eight staff members this year. The number of jobs in jeopardy doubles to a total of 16 when the 2022-2023 budget comes into play.

New Jersey has over six hundred school districts, which state Senate President Steve Sweeney suggests is just too many. He’s suggested that consolidation of the districts would lessen costs. Ocean Township Schools remain on the target list year after year – as one of the communities that only provides an elementary school education.

Lommerin said the district is exploring a Local Efficiency Achievement Program  (LEAP) grant, which offers incentives to government entities as far as shared services. An Implementation Grant under LEAP gives first priority to K-12 regionalization and countywide school district studies.

“I believe that in order to maintain the quality of education and to maintain a presence here in Ocean Township,” Board of Education President Shawn Denning, Jr. said. “We need to maintain a relatively low tax rate. The best thing to do is not to consolidate or become a non-operating sending district.”

Ocean Township Board of Education meetings seldom attract more than a few people at their meetings — even before the pandemic. The in-person gathering brought in approximately 20 participants, many who were staff members or family of employees, let go by the district. An estimated virtual audience of 30 people listened to the presentation.

Marie Leaming, a media assistant and district employee for 25 years, delivered a passionate speech on her disappointment in the board’s decision to eliminate her position. Leaming is one of eight employees laid off as a result of budget cuts. Both Denning and Brian Tart, a board member, shared fond recollections of interacting with Leaming when they were elementary students in the district.

“After 25 years of being here, I finally hit a $30,000 salary last year,” said Leaming. “I can assure you that I have always given you more than your money’s worth. In lieu of having a media specialist or a librarian, I’ve actually been a bargain. I know for a fact that I am an asset here, and my value to the school district has always outweighed my paycheck.”

Leaming provided a breakdown of her duties, ranging from menial tasks like dusting off books to more student-centric activities like reading to students and getting them excited about falling in love with stories.

“I cannot imagine why a library program as we know it is not important enough for you to save with some of the relief money that you’ve received,” Leaming shared.  “It is very disconcerting to me that no one has stood up for the libraries in this district and what goes on in those rooms.”

Amanda Lynn noticed the budget did not contain a specific breakdown concerning the district’s plan to reinstate the Gifted and Talented program and asked about it. The agenda for last night’s meeting included a reference to a one-week summer activity for gifted and talented students — but no other reference.

Lynn was one of two parents who brought up the Gifted and Talented program as a state requisite earlier this month.  Ashley Ernest shared some of the legal requirements mandated for gifted and talented students at the Board of Education’s regular April meeting.

“We had a choice between an additional Pre-K class or a traditional gifted and talented class or an afterschool scenario,” said Lommerin.

The district decided to start literacy and early learning programs at an earlier age by adding the Pre-K class. Gifted and talented students will have options available after school with transportation afforded to them.

“The seventh Pre-K class will be 100% funded (by a state grant),” Denning shared.

While there’s an old saying that money talks, it remained remarkably silent at last night’s budget hearings for the Ocean Township School District.

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