Laura’s Notes on 04/27/2023 Budget Portion of BOE Meeting

Dr. Foregger and Ms. Khanna Vote “No” to Cut Supervisors But It Wasn’t Enough

Below are Laura’s notes. I want to thank Tom and Dipti for supporting teachers and supervisors by voting no. Dr. Varley incredibly made this a choice between Supervisors and Teachers and not once considered her or the Business Administrators staff as a means of reducing costs. I encourage every Berkeley Heights Resident to watch the Budget Meeting. JM

Laura’s Notes:

-Varley mentioned the budget team (Varley, Kot, Greer, Kopacz and finance and facility committee) have been meeting since October.

-We will be using $40,000+ of banked cap and increasing athletic fees.

-Tax levy is actually going down this year from last year 2.12% down from 2.58% last year. For each assessed home value of $100,000 the monthly tax increase is approximately $5.46.

-Dipti asked about what is being taken away with this budget. Dr. Varley answered that “students will NOT feel an impact from this budget.” Dipti asks her question again and Dr. Varley responds that she doesn’t really understand. Dipti further refers to the initial budget which had supervisor cuts, she asks what are we losing. 

-Julie has no idea how much we get for courtsey bussing, apparently no one is keeping track of this and no one knows.

-Pam asks about the most important and pressing budgetary issue, CMS bleachers. Pam thanks Julie for what was an “impossible” process and for all of her hard work.

-Jordan asks about STEAM at all levels. June 5 will have a presentation for STEAM/STEM.

-Enviro Science teacher at GL: Keep both supervisor positions (during which it appears Melissa is failing asleep)

-Math teacher at GL: echo sentiments that we need two separate math and science supervisors

-Substitute, recommended by Varley to be removed off the substitute roster.

-Angela tells two students to sit because they can only comment on budget.

-Drew Ziobro; speaks about his tenure in BHPS, basically pleading for his job. Found out Monday 4/24 at 2:30 pm that his position was being eliminated. Varley provided little to no support to the elimination vs a new position, to which Varley told ziobro that others schools have a steam director so should we. Ziobro did the research and only 3 area schools have a steam director whole 15+ have the supervisor positions.

-Rob Nixon against administrative re-organization; and asking, once again, for collaboration. Comments that student achievement is at the forefront of our strategic plan, eliminating two positions which focus on student achievement is not the right direction.

-Certification for the Director vs 2 supervisor positions has more requirements (director requires 2 certificates and supervisor only requires 1) making one of the supervisors being cut unable to apply for this new positions. 

– Shauna comments that the number one most effective learning tool is having effective teachers – they came to tell you they need their supervisors. Many of you voted against those teachers and students and parents to eliminate those positions. BOE doesn’t seem to give consideration to teachers similarly like they do to parents. Vote of no Confidence for Varley and Kot is requested. 

-Students speak about the need for their supervisors.

-Varley said if her resolution fails then two teachers who were reinstated will be eliminated.

-Dipti and Tom vote “no” to approve the budget which essentially means they do not support Dr. Varley’s resolution to eliminate two supervisor positions.

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