TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The Westwood Regional School District board unanimously approved a $73.5 million 2023-2024 budget and a local tax levy of nearly $59 million, an increase of 1.37% in overall tax levy to Westwood and Township of Washington homeowners.
The budget was approved by a vote of 9-0 on April 27, said District Business Administrator Keith Rosado.
On the average assessed Westwood home of $496,425, taxes will decrease to $6,674 from $7,150, a drop of nearly $476.
On an average Washington Township home assessed at $472,557, taxes will increase to $8,182 from $7,900 last year, a jump of $282.
Rosado said that the state equalization formula which provides tax rates for the regional school shows a decrease of about 1% for Westwood taxpayers and an increase of about 1% for township taxpayers in the 2023-2024 school tax levy.
Overall, taxes will decrease $95.91 for every $100,000 of assessed home value in Westwood while taxes will increase $59.75 on every $100,000 of assessed value in the township.
The total budget was $73,515,971, which includes debt service and state aid, and a local tax levy of $59,010,676.
Rosado gave a slide presentation April 27 at the budget hearing. No questions or comments were asked by trustees or the public at the meeting. The presentation can be viewed at the district website.
Rosado told residents that the state-determined percent of tax allocation shows Westwood residents paying 52.059% of the regional tax levy and township residents will pay 47.941% of the $59 million school tab.
For the 2023–2024 budget, Westwood taxes per $100,000 of assessed value will be $1,344.46. For the prior budget year, taxes were $1,440.37 per $100,000.
In the Township, taxes per $100,000 of assessed value in 2023-2024 will be $1,731.51 versus the $1,671.76 rate per $100,000 in value from the prior budget year.
Nearly 80% of the local school district tax levy is paid for by property taxes, Rosado said.
At the May 1 Washington Township Council meeting, councilwoman Stacey Feeney said she was looking into rolling property assessment valuations — currently conducted in Westwood — as a possible way to lower local taxpayers’ regional school taxes, which are based on a state equalization formula.
Over the last decade, the township has paid 3% to 4% more in annual school taxes. Soon, the Township Council is expected to consider several property revaluation/assessment options that will bring local properties closer to full market value.
Tax assessor Sarah Holbig said township properties are assessed at less than 80% of market value, which generally means a property revaluation or reassessment is needed. Officials estimated it had been at least a decade since a full property reassessment occurred in the township. Holbig is also Westwood’s tax assessor.
A district chart showed other revenue sources including: state aid of $3,630,734, about 5%; a capital reserve withdrawal, $3,970,000, 5.4%; and state and federal grants, $1,455,445, or 1.98%.
A graphic presented by Rosado showed instruction costs and employee benefits totaled almost $37.5 million out of the $73.5 million budget, or about 51%.
In addition to instruction costs, a breakdown showed: instructional support services, $10,544,077; plant operation and maintenance, $5,987,985; Capital – Construction Projects, $5.114.855; administration and support services, $5,418,004; and out of district tuition, $3,048,164.
Other cost categories included: transportation, $2,267,426; debt service, $1,777,550; state and federal grants, $1,455,445; and capital equipment, $388,900.
According to Rosado, the 2023-2024 budget funds:
- Self-contained special education programs, plus an additional level at the middle school
- Extracurricular and athletic Programs, including new K-5 math textbooks
- Responsive Classrooms in Grades K to 8
- Updates of K-12 Digital Media, Math & ELA Curriculum
- Current staffing levels in all academic areas
- Added staffing in elementary (3): a teacher of academic support, in-class support, and a half-time PE teacher and half-time guidance teacher
- Added staffing in middle school (4): a teacher of autism and 3 paraprofessionals
- Added a director of Student Support Personnel Services
- Facilities: Continue maintenance and upgrades to existing facilities along with additional capital projects: replacement of heating ventilators to HVAC systems at Berkeley, Brookside, George, Washington; WRMS field upgrade; resurfacing of driveways and parking lots; and asbestos abatement and facility bathroom renovations.
- Safety and security is included, such as maintaining six Class III police officers, and upgrades to cameras and servers.