Budget Presented to Morris Plains Home and School Association

The Morris Plains Home and School Association's April meeting was held Wednesday at the Borough School Library.  School Superintendent Dennis Mack and Borough School Principal Sean Dolan attended and presented the , which will be up for a vote on April 27th.

Mack said he was pleased with the budget, citing the Morris Plains school system’s academic prowess and growth versus more populated and more affluent communities. Some of the “Savings and Accomplishments” from 2010-2011 discussed in Superintendant Mack’s presentation were:

• New language arts curriculum
• New books and materials
• New writing program – district wide
• Staff development for all new programs
• Kept Kindergarten as full day program
• Kept courtesy busing intact
• Moved students to higher test scores resulting in our 5th grade math scores being #1 in the state according to School.digger.com, a national site.  
• Teachers acquired donations of computers from Pfizer
• Repaired roofs in band room, art room, learning center
• Roof renovations refunded by state at 40%, over $20,000
• Repainted 16 classrooms and entrance ways at both schools
• Went to an in-houses payroll system, saving money and becoming more efficient
• Bought a backhoe to help with snow removal and other outside projects (saving $14,000/yr)
• Saved $240,000 in special education by streamlining and bringing students back to district
• Received a regular education student for tuition bringing in $13,000 to the district
• Two teachers retired, bringing in over $100,000 in savings

Superintendant Mack also presented some of the 2011 – 2012 budget plans to the MPHSA:

•  Three-year lease for outfitting technology through the school district
• Staff development and training for effective use of infusing technology into the curriculum
• All programs for 2011-2012 will stay intact
• No reduction in staff
• All staff members receiving health benefits will contribute 1.5% of their salary towards health benefit
• Courtesy busing remains intact
• Books and materials will be purchased as necessary
• Per-pupil costs are higher in classroom instruction; salaries and benefits are less
• Administration costs down 20%
• Legal costs down 36%

A complete copy of the presentation discussed at the MPHSA meeting can be found on the Morris Plains School District website:

www.morrisplainsschooldistrict.org

Principal Dolan also weighed-in on the budget, expressing how the successful, affable students in the school system are a direct result of the influence they receive at home and from the great teachers in Morris Plains.  “The kids in this district always represent the community well, and it’s a reflection of how the community generously supports our school system,” he said.  

Principal Dolan spoke of his recent travels with the 6th grade on their field trip to the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C.  “Our kids showed a maturity and reverence, which really says a lot about the people of Morris Plains.”  

Both Superintendant Mack and Principal Dolan said they are hoping for a large community turn out for the vote on April 27, 2011 at the Community Center.