MONTVALE, N.J.—A unanimous Pascack Valley Regional High School board approved a $53.6 million budget April 26, including an overall tax increase of approximately 2%.
Due to the state’s school funding formula, while River Vale’s regional school tax decreased $245 annually, Woodcliff Lake’s annual school tax jumped approximately $545.
Overall, 2021–2022 regional school taxes on an average $473,237 Hillsdale home would increase $17.28 over last year. On an average $593,981 River Vale home, school tax will decrease $250.24 over last year.
In Montvale, school taxes will show an annual $13.90 decrease; Woodcliff Lake school taxes will increase $545.58 yearly.
The total tax levy, $53,597,807, was approved, 9–0, by regional trustees. The Pascack Valley regional high school district manages two high schools: Pascack Hills in Montvale, serving families in Montvale and Woodcliff Lake, and Pascack Valley in Hillsdale, serving families in Hillsdale and River Vale.
The total budget was $63,270,241, which includes $2,985, 553 in federal and state aid, and $6,686,881 in other local reserves, fund balances and tuition. Salaries and benefits comprise 66% of the total budget, said Board Business Administrator Yas Usami.
Usami said that for 2021–2022, the district will include 1,920 students, down one student from the prior year. This includes 1,535 regular full-time students and 385 special education full-time students.
Moreover, staffing will increase by four positions: two full-time teachers will be hired for additional course offerings; one full-time family and consumer science teacher; and two part-time job coaches for special needs students.
Some 2022 curricular proposals include an enhanced schedule to allow students to enroll in an additional course if desired; summer support and enrichment programs like SAT prep, college application boot camp, and math support for students who need help; embedded college and career training in various curricular areas; and additional options in physical education and health.
Usami said that the state makes an annual tax calculation based on a formula that determines each of the four municipalities’ tax levies. This state calculation is based on taxable property wealth and student enrollment, Usami said.
For a comparison of school taxes, last year an average Hillsdale homeowner paid $3,468 in annual tax; an average River Vale homeowner paid $3,645; an average Montvale homeowner paid $3,691 and an average Woodcliff Lake homeowner paid $4,979.
Taxable property wealth is calculated by the state by finding average home sales values of each municipality, from July 1, 2017 through mid-June 2020. The state determines an equalized value for each town and factors in student enrollment to determine a percentage share of the tax levy for each town.
For 2021–2022, that formula allocated Hillsdale a 23.327% share; River Vale a 24.198 percent share; Woodcliff Lake a 25.277% share; and Montvale a 27.198% share.
Both Montvale and Woodcliff Lake had made efforts over the past several years to oppose what they perceive as an unfair state regional school funding formula that charges those towns more based on their higher average home sale values.
In summer 2018, Woodcliff Lake threatened to leave the regional district over its high per-pupil costs, which are based on the state’s funding formula. The borough joined Montvale in undertaking a study of the issue, which remains a sore point among Woodcliff Lake and Montvale taxpayers.
Usami listed budget expenditures for 2021–2022 including $18.5 million for regular program instruction, $6.5 million for operations/maintenance, $3.8 million for special education instruction, $7.5 million for benefits, $6.7 million for support services, $5.1 million for tuition, $3.9 million for admin support, $2.4 million for transportation, and $3.5 million for capital outlay.
Capital projects planned include at Pascack Valley: roof replacements for lecture hall ($103,000) and media center ($428,000); heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) cafeteria upgrade ($750,000) and filtration upgrades ($348,500).
Capital projects planned at Pascack Hills include central wing roof replacement ($421,512); track replacement ($775,000); and HVAC filtration upgrades ($525,000).
Montvale resident Carolee Adams asked school trustees how residents could “intelligently” question the budget without a more detailed budget breakdown available to residents.
Superintendent P. Erik Gundersen, who announced his resignation effective June 30 (see story, page 6), told Adams he could provide her more details offline regarding some salary questions she had and Usami informed her of grants that the district used to pay for Covid-related needs, such as personal protective equipment and disinfectants.
A link to Usami’s presentation can be found on the board’s April 26 online agenda and at pascack.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=36940642.