Freehold Borough Considers Moving 4 Kindergarten Classes to West Freehold Elementary School

Freehold Borough School District is exploring sharing Kindergarten classroom space with Freehold Township Schools in the $20.1 million 2011-2012 budget, according to Business Administrator Patrick S. DeGeorge.

The Board of Education introduced the tentative budget during a meeting at the Park Avenue Complex on Wednesday, March 2. The budget is $511,188 less than the previous year and includes an $8.27 million tax levy, which is a three percent increase over the 2010-2011 levy. Homeowners would see a two-cent increase in the tax rate to $.825 for every $100 of assessed value. Taxes on a home valued at $250,000 would rise from $2,012.50 to $2,062.50 under the proposed plan.

Though the district saw a $173,947 increase in state aid, preschool aid decreased $113,385. Freehold Borough rents space from First Presbyterian Church of Freehold for full day preschool classes. The 2011-2012 budget would bring the preschool students into Park Avenue Elementary School for half day classes; only a special education class would remain full day, DeGeorge said. To accommodate the preschool students, the district is exploring housing four Kindergarten classes in West Freehold Elementary School, Superintendent Elizabeth O’Connell said. Sharing services with Freehold Township would result in a $10,000 to $15,000 savings over the cost of renting space at First Presbyterian, according to DeGeorge.

The spending plan does not include any teacher layoffs, but a district translator position has been eliminated. In addition, administrators in the district have taken a voluntary wage freeze for 2011-2012.

While privatization of custodial and paraprofessional staff is not included in the tentative budget, the district may consider privatizing custodial services if the residents vote down the tax levy on April 27, DeGeorge said. Three teaching positions would also be eliminated if the budget fails. The Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing the district to join Marlboro Board of Education in advertising for private custodial services during the meeting.

“In the event privatization becomes necessary, we have to start the process. That’s not to say we’re going to do it. The board is in no way obligated to move to the end of the process,” DeGeorge said.

The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the 2011-2012 budget at the Park Avenue Complex on Monday, March 28 at 7 p.m.