Lopatcong district cuts school budget Tax hike eliminated. Three new teaching positions retained despite slashing of $287,974. Friday, May 09, 2008 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times LOPATCONG TWP. | Taxpayers' sound defeat of the Lopatcong Township School District's proposed $11.3 million local tax levy resulted in a reduction of $287,974 from the budget. It maintains three new teaching positions school officials had hoped to add but cuts some other positions and purchases. The changes eliminate the proposed 2.4 percent increase in local school taxes. "I think it was fair," school board president Terry Glennon said after school officials discussed the spending plan with township council Wednesday. The budget's defeat last month gave council the right to recommend cuts. The budget went down 507 to 285, and officials from the township and the school said that was a clear message to curb spending. School officials came to the council armed with a proposal that kept the local school tax levy flat, at about $1.15 per $100 of assessed home value. Council members agreed to their proposal, which essentially means the district is operating within the means of an increase of $500,000 in state aid. It allows the district to hire a new third-grade teacher, a new fourth-grade teacher and a new special education teacher, which school officials believe is critical to keeping class sizes low. They will no longer hire the part-time kindergarten aide, part-time custodian or secretary included in their defeated proposal. Professional development is taking a hit and about $20,000 is being taken out of the technology budget. Councilman Jim Mengucci praised the district for preparing students to enter high school and consistently giving students an excellent education. He said he doesn't think students will be hurt by trimming the district's original budget proposal, and said taxpayers need some relief after a few years of consistent tax increases and the poor economic conditions in general. "I just think, basically, the taxpayers had enough at this point," Mengucci said. Council President Victor Camporine suggested school board members consider whether they could make any administrative changes, considering the impending departure of Superintendent Mike Rossi, which would not negatively impact the children. Rossi this week was appointed superintendent of the Roxbury School District. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.