BUDGET NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2012
Dear Princeton Regional School District Community Members:
In his March 10th New York Times op-ed piece, Thomas Friedman wrote about the important choices
nations make as they determine their top priorities for investment: oil? gold? education? After studying a
comparison of nations' results on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) exam, he
concluded: "Hold the oil and pass the books. The numbers say that if you really want to know how a
country is going to do in the 21st century...count its highly effective teachers, involved parents and
committed students." In my view, that's exactly the formula for success that the Princeton community and
the Princeton Regional Schools holds dear.
Our values are clear: Education matters all the days of a person's life starting with the first breath. A
strong student-centered partnership among parents, neighbors and educators creates the foundation of a
vibrant community and launches our children into a world of intellectual curiosity, hunger for learning,
and success (RE:happiness) in life. Each year we are asked whether or not we will affirm that partnership
by providing the resources for it in the next academic year. On Tuesday, April 17th, all registered voters
will have the opportunity to go to the polls between noon and 9 p.m. to vote on two important matters: the
2012-13 academic year budget and the election of Board of Education members.
This year, the PRS proposed budget carries a flat one percent increase over 2011-12. It represents the
ability to maintain programs PK-12 but allows for very little growth in any way. This is reflective of our
tight economic times and also fits within the State's restrictions on public school tax levies.
This is the last year that Board members will be elected from two municipalities now that consolidation is
slated for 2013. There is a contested race in the Borough where Princeton residents will have the
opportunity to vote for two of three candidates: Rebecca Cox, Martha Land and Dudley Siprelle. There is
an uncontested race in the Township where Patrick Sullivan is running for the Board.
Please take time to do two things: Know your choices (more info at www.prs.k12.nj.us) and go to the
polls.
Then pass the books!
Sincerely,
Superintendent
PRINCETON REGIONAL SCHOOLS’ 2012-2013 PROPOSED BUDGET
BASIC BUDGET FACTS
Operating expenses are affected by state mandates and contractual salaries and benefits. The 2012-2013
operating budget expenses will increase by .99%.
The operating budget is supported primarily by local taxes. Although the total budget is increasing by less
than one percent, there is a need to raise tax levy to meet the resulting proposed budget.
Proposed 2012-2013 Operating Tax Levy:
$63,434,108
2012-2013 REVENUES AND EXPENSES
REVENUES: OPERATING BUDGET
Tax Levy Requested 2%
Fund Balance:
Tuition & Revenues: (Below PY)
State Aid:
Extra-Ordinary Aid (Budgeted):
Capital Reserve Transfer:
Other Revenues:
$ 63,434,108*
3,145,119
4,416,465
3,337,049
350,000
350,000
574,365
Total Revenues:
$75,607,106
*Tax excludes amount for debt payment.
EXPENSES: OPERATING BUDGET
Instruction
Tuitions (SPED/REG)
Student Support
Services
Administration
Operations
Transportation
Benefits (All)
Capital Reserve Projects
Capital Expenditures
Charter School
Total
Expenses
Proposed
2012-2013
Dollar
Change
Percentage
Change
$31,567,330
$4,005,969
$ 1,034,866
$
(2,440)
3.4%
-.06%
$ 9,036,565
$4,406,237
$6,087,676
$3,089,384
$11,929,787
$350,000
$356,676
$4777,482
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
391,080
170,271
7,143
(69,015)
(620,142)
(50,000)
(111,607)
(6,099)
4.5%
4.0%
0.1%
-2.2%
-4.9%
-12.5%
-23.8%
-.12%
$75,607,106
$
744,057
.99%
PRINCETON REGIONAL SCHOOLS’ 2012-2013 PROPOSED BUDGET
2012 TAX YEAR IMPACT
In Princeton Township, the 2012-2013 budget will generate an estimated tax increase of $211.00 this year.
In Princeton Borough, the 2012-2013 budget will generate an estimated tax increase of $141.00 this year.
The average assessed value of homes in the Princetons’ are:
2012 Average Assessed Value in:
Borough
$ 748,155.00
Township
$ 822,263.00
NOTE: FOR CLARIFICATION OF ACTUAL TAXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE MUNICIPAL TAX
OFFICE.
SCHOOL YEAR TAX SHARE
2011-2012
2012-2013
Increase
Princeton Borough:
Princeton Township:
$20,719,499
$41,470,803
$21,057,121
$42,376,987
$ 337,622
$ 906,184
General Fund Tax*
$62,190,302
$63,434,108
$1,243,806
Growth of General Fund tax as a percent: 2.00%
2013 THE PRINCETONS WILL BE ONE MUNCIPALITY!
The percentage share of the borough and township over the past five years and the share for coming year are
shown below:
2007-2008
Borough:
Township:
32.%
68%
2008-2009
32.8%
67.2%
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-20112
2012-2013
33.3%
66.7%
33.6%
66.4%
33.32%
66.68%
33.20%
66.80%
The changes from year to year are a function of changes in the total taxable assessed valuation of property in
each community relative to the other. If the total valuation in one municipality rises at a faster rate than in the
other, its percentage share of the local tax levy for school purposes will rise correspondingly.
Princeton Regional Schools
Budget Facts Q and A
April 2012
When is the vote?
Tuesday, April 17th between 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Is it too late to register to vote?
Yes.
Is it too late to apply for an absentee ballot?
Absentee ballot applications must be received by the County Clerk’s Election Office by April 10, 2012.
They are available on the district website and at the schools.
Where do I go to vote?
You will receive a sample ballot from the Board of Elections. Your polling place is listed on your ballot.
What questions are on the ballot?
There is one budget proposal for the 2012-2013 school year on the ballot. It is a yes/no question asking for
funds to operate the schools from July 2012 through June 2013. We also elect members to the Board of
Education each April. Borough and Township voters elect representatives by their municipality.
Why do we vote every April?
The Board of Education has voted to continue to hold the school election in April as in the past for April
2012. The Board has the ability to move the election to November – Primary Election -- through a majority
vote of the Board, as per a recent change to the law.
How can I get to know the candidates?
Borough Candidates: Rebecca Cox (incumbent), Martha Land, Dudley Sipprelle
Township Candidate: Patrick Sullivan
There will be a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at John Witherspoon
Middle School libray.
The forum is sponsored by the Special Education PTO and everyone is welcome.
What factors influenced this budget proposal?
State law caps tax levy at 2% before automatic waiver adjustments.
How can we increase revenue for programs?
Support the technology fund drive.
Support the Princeton Education Foundation. www.pef.org
Make connections for schools and programs with corporate sponsors.
Make direct donations.
Assist in writing grants.
Support Friends of Princeton Athletics.
Princeton Regional Schools
Budget Facts Q and A
April 2012
Does the public vote separately on the Charter Schools’ budgets?
No, there is no public vote. The funds for charters come directly from the single tax question on April 17th.
Does the public elect the Charter Schools’ board members?
No, there is no public election. Charters’ board members are appointed from within the Charter
organization. The Princeton’s Board and administration have NO authority over the Charters.
What happens if a budget is rejected by the voters?
The budget does not return to the Princeton Board of Education or the administration. By State law, it goes
to the municipal governing body. In the case of PRS, a defeated budget goes to the joint councils of the
Borough and the Township. That body of elected officials strikes the budget for the academic year.
If a budget fails, does a charter school’s funding get reduced, also?
No.
What can parents and community members do to influence decision makers?
Direct links to all of our legislators, the Governor and the Commissioner of Education are on the PRS
website. Your voices and opinions must be heard!
Where is there more information?
www.prs.k12.nj.us
Princeton Regional Schools Facebook page; become a fan.
Garden State Coalition of Schools website: www.gscschools.org
What can be done to insure that voters get to the polls?
REMIND people to vote. Mark your calendars. Put alarms on your cell phones. Tie a ribbon on your finger.
Even though our parents and community members deeply value education and are highly involved in our
schools, only 13% of registered voters on average go to the polls in Princeton every April.
DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
Princeton High School continues to be ranked as one of the top schools in the state. Our 2011 mean Critical
Reading Score was 604; our mean Writing Score was 608; and our mean Math Score was 620 for a
combined mean of 1832.
Princeton High School won NJ Regional Tournament on the Department of Energy Science Bowl.
They will
compete in the National Science Bowl held in Washington, D.C. this April.
Boys Swim Team claimed NJSIAA Public “B” title and State Champions.
Princeton High School Orchestra toured Argentina and performed at UNESCO’s Villa Ocamp, the Lincoln
International School, Ramon Sarda Maternity Hospital, and Plaza Francia.
Princeton High School Speech & Debate team won the Team Sweepstakes Award at the Columbia University
Invitational.
National Forensics League earned the Degree of Honor and the Degree of Distinction.
Princeton High School Model United Nations Team received CMUNCE’s Best Delegation award
for the fourth year in a row at the Columbia University Model United Nations Conference and Exposition.
Congratulations to Lauren Murphy, PHS Math teacher, who was honored as the Corner House Teen Advisory
Group Facilitator and PHS Teacher/Coach at their Autumn Nights Reception.
Princeton High School places third in the NJ Envirothion Competition held in Mahwah, NJ.
Launch of Princeton Balance Speaker Series.
Productions of Dr. Faustus, City of Angels, and The Canterbury Tales were performed in the
Performing Arts Center and Black Box Theatre at Princeton High School.
Princeton High School students Max Kaltman, Matthew Ko, Sadik Shahidain and Rebecca Tang,
have been named Semifinalists for the 2012 US Physics Olympic Team due to their performance
on the F = ma exam in January.
John Witherspoon Middle School Mathletes, Aidan Donahue, Nicholas McConnell, Thomas Morris, James
VanderKam, Katie VanderKam and Crystal Wang, competed in the 2012 Mathcounts
Regional Competition held at Mercer County Community College.
Princeton Studio Band placed first at the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival.
Six Princeton High School students won the annual Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey
(FLENJ) scholarship competition.
Jason Carter, Princeton High School Basketball Coach, was selected as Coach of the Year after
leading the boys basketball team to its fourth consecutive division title.
Princeton High School senior, Derek Colaizzo, was honored as the CVC Swimmer of the Year.
Greg Hand, PHS Social Studies Teacher and Swim Coach, was selected by The Trentonian as Coach of Year.
PRS EXPANDS THE INSTRUCTIONAL CURRICULUM BY:
Continuing to develop the World Language Program with a Mandarin program at the Middle
School and East Asian Studies at the High School;
Continuing to develop the Model World Language program that includes Spanish starting in
Grade 2;
Implementing a high-quality, full-day pre-kindergarten program at Riverside Elementary School
and Johnson Park Elementary School;
Offering 21st Century Exploratory Programs at the Middle School, including 3D Programming,
Literacy through Video Production and LEGO Design and Modern Automation, among others;
Developing and implementing a nationally recognized seven-year mentoring and induction
program for novice and new teachers to the district;
Researching and implementing Best Practices with the prek-12 Language Arts Achievement
Council. The Council also has representatives from Cranbury and members continually review
current research in the areas of curriculum, assessment, and instruction with the goal of continually
improving our Language Arts program;
Working in concert with Princeton University’s Teacher Preparation Program. “Teachers as
Scholars” is a unique programmatic experience for classroom teachers to enrich themselves at the
university;
Responding to the Common Core Standards with up to date materials to implement a consistent
elementary mathematics curriculum using Everyday Mathematics as the foundational materials for
instruction;
Implementing the Focus Period for intervention and enrichment at the elementary level;
Continuing the interdisciplinary gardening curriculum in all schools;
Providing opportunities for students to learn concepts of sustainability in our science classrooms
and beyond;
Continuing our robust elementary science program through the use of the elementary science labs
and classrooms;
Providing an elementary science curriculum that embraces a hands-on, minds-on approach to
learning science. This includes an engineering strand and a student research program that provides
students with an opportunity to be student scientists through specific research projects;
Recognizing exemplary student achievement through the College Board, Merit Scholars Program,
Distinguished AP Scholars, and the National Minority Student Achievement Network;
Participating in the Tri-State Consortium of high-performing districts in New Jersey, New York and
Connecticut;
Continuing the district’s elementary video in-house production programming;
Offering “Music-After-School” at all elementary schools throughout the academic year;
Implementing a Service Learning/Community Service Program across the four elementary schools
to complement student work in grades 6-12;
Implementing the Language Arts curriculum which includes Handwriting Without Tears and the
Teachers College Reading and Writing Project approach at the elementary level;
Expanding reflective reading and writing practices at the elementary, middle and high school levels;
and
Offering Flex PD in technology across the content areas.
VOTING INFORMATION
Candidates:
One candidate is running for one seat in the Township
Patrick Sullivan
Three candidates are running for two Borough seats:
Rebecca Cox (incumbent), Martha Land, and Dudley Sipprelle
Need an Absentee Ballot?
If you are unable to vote in person on Election Day but would still like to vote, you must pick up an application for a
Civilian Absentee Ballot. Applications are available at each of the schools, the municipal buildings, the public library
and the Mercer County Clerk’s Office. You can also download and print an Absentee Ballot application (English and
Spanish versions) by going to the Board of Education-Elections web site: http://www.prs.k12.nj.us/BoardofEd/Election.
In order for your vote to be counted, your completed Absentee Ballot must be received by the Mercer County Election
Office before 9 p.m. on Election Day. If you have any questions, please call the board office at (609) 806-4204 or
visit www.NJElections.org.
Board of Education Members
Rebecca Cox, President
Timothy Quinn, Vice President
Dorothy Bedford
Mia Cahill
Molly Chrein
Daniel Haughton
Charles Kalmbach
Afsheen Shamsi
Andrea Spalla
Evelyn Spann (Cranbury)
Administration
Judith Wilson, Superintendent
Stephanie Kennedy, Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Lewis Goldstein, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Public Information & Community Relations
Bonnie Lehet, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
PRINCETON BOROUGH
District #1: Suzanne Patterson Center (1, 7 & 8) (rear of Borough Hall)
District #2: Princeton High School Performing Arts Center Lobby (2 & 6)
District #3: John Witherspoon Middle School (3 & 9)
District #4: John Witherspoon Middle School (4 & 5)
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP
District #5: Community Park School (1, 4 & 7)
District #6: Johnson Park School (2, 8, 11 & 13)
District #7: Littlebrook School (6 & 14)
District #8: Riverside School (3 & 12)
District #9: Littlebrook School (5 & 10)
District #10: Riverside School (9)
PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 Polls
Open: 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.