PVRHSD—The Pascack Valley Regional High School District board voted, 6-0, on April 25 to approve a $65.5 million annual budget for 2022-2023.
The budget had previously been reviewed and approved by the county superintendent, said the board’s business administrator.
According to a presentation by Board Business Administrator and Secretary Yas Usami, the local tax levy equals about 83% of the total budget, or $54,643,367.
Voting to approve the budget were members Kelly Blundy, Pat Luisi, Kristin Martin, James Stankus, Vice President Gini Varghese and Board President Joseph Blundo.
Absent were trustees Tammy Molinelli, Debra Stephans and Michael Weaver.
That $54,643,367 local tax levy, including debt service, is divided among the four towns that make up the Pascack Valley district based on a state tax equalization formula that relies on two factors: taxable property wealth and student enrollment, stated Usami.
Every year, the state determines the percentage of the tax levy that each municipality pays. “The Board of Education has no taxing authority,” said Usami.
For the 2022-2023 budget, state-determined budget percents and tax levies break down as follows:
Hillsdale pays a 22.95% or $12,540,616; Montvale pays 27.55% or $15,054,163; River Vale pays 24.53% or $13,405,670; and Woodcliff Lake pays 24.97% or $13,642,918.
For Hillsdale’s average assessed home of $474,172, its 2022 tax is $3,746, which equals a 60 cent annual increase; in River Vale an average home is $595,627, its 2022 tax is $3,766, which equals a $111.23 annual increase, or $9.27 monthly. Hillsdale and River Vale students attend the Pascack Valley Regional High School, based in Hillsdale.
For Montvale’s average assessed home of $528,261, its 2022 tax is $3,794, which equals an $86.47 annual increase, or $7.21 per month; in Woodcliff Lake, for an average home assessed at $793,230, its 2022 tax is $5,013, an estimated decrease of $134.83, or an $11.24 decrease per month.
Last year, Woodcliff Lake paid an average $550 increase in taxes over the prior year, which caused borough officials to consider a possible merger of K-12 schools with Montvale. However, Montvale officials declined to join with Woodcliff Lake in a study of possible merger options citing the lack of economic benefits to Montvale.
A 2022-2023 budget breakdown shows salaries cost 54%; employee benefits 12%; services 9%; capital outlay 8%; tuition 8%; transportation 4%; supplies/textbooks 2%; utilities 2%; and other 1%.
Dollar breakdowns show salaries at $ 33,573,734; Employee Benefits $ 7,727,978; Services $5,901,717; Tuition $5,263,322; Transportation $2,613,600; Supplies/Textbooks $1,308,999; Utilities $953,000; Other $662,855; and Capital Outlay $4,668,963.
Usami’s presentation, which is available online, provides a rundown of specific curricular proposals, staffing and capital improvements proposed for 2022-2023.
Curricular proposals include embedded “real-world” learning, college and career training in various curricular areas and additional options in physical education/health.
Staffing for 2022 shows nine positions added, including two special education teachers, a guidance counselor, media specialist and director of special services.
Moreover, a $4.5 million capital projects breakdown shows budgeted improvements including Pascack Valley and Pascack Hills’ auditorium renovations at $1.3 million each; plus window, toilet room, HVAC, and roof upgrades.