Not enough info to answer this question. Are there classrooms available at the elementary schools to hire some extra teachers and alleviate some of the largest class sizes? Traditionally community would support this. What's with cutting computer labs at elementary schools? Are computer teachers being cut to, why would we do that? What's the deal with the 8th grade team? How's the high school doing' was a new guidance counselor ever hired since the larger cohorts have moved up? And what's with Rosetta Stone not working at the elementary school, are we getting free replacement earphones for those that don't work? Or a refund? Where's the plan to improve or replace this problem? Its mandated to have a world language program. I dont mind dedicating some money to infrstructure but first priorities should be funds to the classroom experience. It sounds like there is more than enough money to do both so I don't understand the cuts. I am not opposed to a tax increase if the classroom experience is given first priority, then infrastructure too. Again it sounds like schools have plenty of funds to address both curricular and infrastructure needs. (Apologies for typos, tablet not letting me correct).ith

Noreen, you ask good questions and some of these same questions were brought up at the last 2 board meetings. Mrs. Chapman did an excellent job pointing out specific instances where we are overspending on non-curriculum. On the other hand, other board members did not sufficiently answer questions about the surplus or why we have not made some simple cuts on support staff, buildings & grounds. Just because we have done things a certain way in the past is a bad reason to continue doing them the same way. You are correct there may not be enough info. to vote yay or nay, but until the board gives us some clear answers, especially on Mrs. Chapman's points, passing this increase would enforce the belief of many in our community that throwing money at a problem is always a good thing. Of course that is not true and during tough economic times we need to be especially vigilant about our spending.

Noreen and Dazed- Thank you for being forthright with the community. Noreen's observations are especially credible because of her past board presidency and deep knowledge about the district's finances. With so many open questions and concerns, why did 5 board members Waters, Wenik, Truitt, Birnberg and Seigel vote for this budget? (And why didn't Wong show up for this important vote?) There are no explanations for any of the questions Noreen raises. We should have more not less information about the budget in the first year a budget is being voted on solely by the board members. They removed the public's right to vote on the school budget and they are fully accountable. The concerns raised about the dangers in taking away public participation seem to be valid.

Middle school team is especially puzzling. All 3 grades projected to have about 400 students. In past a hybrid team was created when 1 grade had substantially fewer than another and it was efficient to share across 2 grades. But when both grades have essentially the same number of students, doesn't, it make sense for each grade to have the same number of teams? I'm all for being efficient but the logic of this situation is not clear to me. Also glad to see a central registrar will be added IF that means registration will take place over the summer and IF registration controls will be put in place such as monitoring how many families come from the same address (single family home not apartments obviously, although Ind a pts should be checked too.). Many rumors persist of multiple families renting single family homes. That could be one explanation to how we suddenly have 10% of the student population families earning less than $40,000 (as reported or in recent comment. I have not personally confirmed that as a fact). I would also strongly urge IF add central registrar district ask for reregistration between elementary and middle school and high school. It would be good to send a message that the town enforces residency rules. Such message would also send a positive message to town residents that schools are managing enrollment as much as reasonably feasible. Might even make residents more supportive of future budget.

There have been commentators about the lack of focus on the elementary schools in this budget. The district could surely improve its efficiency, costs and student progress by making sure those struggling students in elementary schools particularly South Mountain and Wyoming get as much intervention in their young years as possible (improved and targeted programs, better trained staff, individualized attention) to avoid referring so many for expensive special education services. Noreen- I did not see mention of a 3 year plan anywhere in these budget discussions? Is that what the district has done in the past, plan year by year?

The technology piece concerns me. I heard they were decentralizing technology and bringing it into the classrooms so that the teachers would be able to incorporate technology. In theory, it sounds fine but in practice, it better be well thought out. I happen to respect the technology teachers quite a bit and would be up in arms if they were dismissed. We are a Hartshorn family and we think Mr. Demel is wonderful. I was told his job was not in danger thought, but I worry.

Rosetta Stone was an innovative change like this one and the jury is out. My daughter definitely seems to be learning Spanish but there were a few months when the programs were not working due to headset issues--so I ask things be well thought out.

What is really going on with the school budget?

I would like to clarify above comments. I am NOT saying the current budget recommendations are wrong. I'm saying I personally do not have enough information to assess if I agree with what is being proposed and the above are my questions and personal opinions about how budget items were prioritized in my time/opinion. I am hopeful the BOE/Administration will take the questions raised by the full community and better explain their budget objectives in the near future. Having been a BOE member, and living and breathing the budget for many months, I know one does not always realize how the budget message is perceived (correctly/incorrectly) until you get public feedback. I thank each of the BOE members and Administration for their hard work on behalf of the community.

Hi Craig,

I think "Do You Support the Proposed School Budget?" is a very silly topic for a story on Patch because we don't have a vote on the budget anyway. Why bother opining about it?

A better topic for Patch may be "Who do you support on American Idol?" At least American Idol lets us vote (and mine goes to Devin). And we also get to watch dreamy Keith Urban (much better than those depressing backbiting board meetings).

Great thanks must go to all those hardworking board members. They are all so well prepared and so "in charge" don't you think? It sure does show in the results.

I too am concerned about technology. While Livingston is planning on building media center labs, we are planning on dismantling our elementary technology labs? As for Rosetta Stone - the schools in which is has been most successful are the two schools that use the lab's hardwired computers. Now the district wants Rosetta Stone to go to IPADs (another wireless application), yet the USB headphones that the district purchased last year for over $35,000 aren't compatible with an Ipad. This is another area where the district does not seem to have a well thought out plan. Technology should not be solely on a cart. The laptop carts are great for bringing in technology to the classroom but only to supplement the instruction in the lab - where there is no downtime due to logging in and connecting/shutting down and replacing the laptops or downtime due to connectivity issues.

Brown bear brown bear this is what I see-I see no focus on education.

I wondered why my neighbors with 3 children in the schools are moving to a nearby town and another is moving because she enrolled her children in a private school locally. Maybe this is not unusual, but I don't recall any friends with school-age children moving out of town unless it was for a job relocation. The school budget discussion here makes me wonder if taxes have become too high in comparison with surrounding towns. I also wonder if the quality of education has changed in some way that is compelling more to move away to be able to afford private schools?

Yes, but sadly the word is also spreading that people are not getting what they expect from the schools. With so much extra cost for tutoring and the unnecessary pressure hoisted on students here, people are looking elsewhere more than you might think.

Well, guess the word is not spreading as fast as you think because houses are selling. Other than the six people posting on the patch under 20 assumed names, most people are quite pleasesed with the schools.

How about some sacrifice on the part of board members and teachers ? Enough of simply increasing taxes on all of us. It's time they stopped the ridiculous Pension plans and switch to 401k's with matching contributions, for one. There's no reason in any level of fairness that a former teaching exec in Millburn should be entitled to a $143,000 annual pension - Here's the example from West Orange, it's the seem in Millburn - this is an atrocity on the highest level and MUST BE STOPPED.

http://westorange.patch.com/articles/four-west-orange-public-retirees-receive-more-than-100g-pension

If we're going to have to abide by pensions, then they need to be capped at NO MORE than $35-40.000 per year. People in the private sector must stop being penalized to create this cushiness for public sector employees. ENOUGH ALREADY !!!

DS Pensions for the public sector are a topic for state and congressional legislators. We can have a more direct say in our local taxes. Do you think they are fair?

http://www.northjersey.com/news/198821681_Millburn_superintendent_clarifies_budget_priorities.html?page=all
The key missing piece in Dr. Crisfield's explanation is that the cost base from which the district has been operating has not been examined or pared down even though that is the inevitable thing that must be done. Many people have stated their views, as I understand it, to the Board explaining that the increases in teacher and staff pay and benefits have been too large over many years making the cost base unaffordable and unsustainable in the long run. With the new statutes affecting NJ public schools the goal at the state-level is to force public school districts to trim down costs and make education affordable for taxpayers who fund education-- upwards of 80% of Millburn's total budget. The 2% cap on local taxation and the caps on superintendents' pay are ways in which the state is forcing districts to do this. This is not addressed by ths superintendent in his explanation, nor has the board shown by its actions any intent to adhere to the spirit of these statutes. This is a serious matter over the long run for the health of our schools.

Thanks, Rohan. One quote stood out from this piece:
"I hope this puts to rest the misconception out there that this budget emphasizes physical capital over human capital. Nothing could be further from the truth. The total amount budgeted for salaries in 2013-14 is $51,066,000. The total amount budgeted for capital projects is $132,000."
With all due respect, this is not an honest accounting of capital spending. He said any additional monies not spent over $2 million is allocated to capital reserves, yet he states "The total amount budgeted for capital projects is $132,000.". $2.5M was put into the capital reserve last June; the tax rate was 0.65%. There is $1.5M or more in that reserve today. How much will be put into the capital reserve when the tax rate is 2%?
This is really about 'Everything Else' vs Education. It is much more difficult to oversee improved curriculum, new programs, comprehensive teacher professional development, technology training and effective character ed than putting in new sidewalks and patching up roofs. Why not ensure that Millburn has a curriculum that is mandated by the state--World Languages Kindergarten through 12? How about making that a priority over capital projects of any kind?