Budget Presentation:

Academics and student achievement ranked as the top budget priority, with a notable investment in textbooks and software. However, during the math presentation at GLHS in February, parents were told that after-hours tutoring would be available. The District should clarify tonight whether this commitment remains in place, as families were led to expect this support.

We also seek further explanation on why Safety and Security was highlighted in the presentation. Facilities ranked third out of four budget priorities. While there is community support for having officers in every school, the data does not suggest facilities spending should be prioritized to the extent that it justifies Township demands. Specifically, the expectation that the District should cover uncapped sick time and vacation—which other districts do not offer—raises concerns.  Additionally the way the rankings were presented is confusing – it is not clear why Facilities was listed second despite the overall ranking being third.

Additionally, the District is requesting a 2% tax increase from families while making no financial demands on the Township for revenue sharing in connection to the CMS Lease Agreement. The District could negotiate revenue through field usage fees or Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), especially given the major tax breaks granted to developers who are contributing nothing to our schools. While the Township may argue that PILOTs don’t generate direct revenue for them at this time, that is not the District’s concern. Families don’t receive tax relief when they lose income, and the Township would not accept “we don’t have the money” as an excuse from residents. The same standard should apply to all parties.  

The 17.5% increase in Public Employee Retirement System costs is another significant financial strain. We urge the District to evaluate long-term enrollment trends, reconsider the school reconfiguration from three years ago which appears to potentially overestimate need, and make staffing decisions that align with actual needs. This should include a careful review of administrative staffing levels to ensure resources are being used efficiently.

AP/SAT/PSAT Results:

We appreciate that the District is now comparing its performance to other districts, which is an important step toward transparency. However, the selection of comparison districts is unclear, and we encourage the District to explain the rationale behind these choices. While we believe our own Dashboard provides a more representative sample, this effort is still a positive step forward.

While AP, SAT, and PSAT scores provide valuable insight, they are often more reflective of student aptitude and test-taking ability than actual subject proficiency. To ensure a well-rounded evaluation of District performance, we ask that a similar detailed comparison be provided when state proficiency scores are released in April. This will help the community better assess how well the District is teaching core subjects and meeting state education standards.

Budget Presentation

AP/SAT/PSAT Presentation

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