1 of 13

Fiscal Year 2025

Final Budget Hearing

April 29, 2024

​

Dr. Kristina Susca

Superintendent of Schools

​

Denise M. DeRosa

School Business Administrator

2 of 13

Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Aligned budget with:

  • District goals and objectives
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • New Jersey Student Learning Objectives (NJSLS)

​

3 of 13

Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Superintendent and Business Administrator

meetings with each administrator

December 2023-January 2024

​

Finance and Facilities Committee

Meetings with each administrator

January 30, February 5, 15, 2024

Overview of Budget

March 12, 2024

​

Board Discussion

March 18, April 29, 2024

4 of 13

Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Budget Philosophy

Level 1: Legal requirements (ex: NJSLS or Special Education)

​

Level 2: Required by Board Policy (ex: more units to graduate therefore requiring higher staffing levels)

​

Level 3: Not required, but high investment from community (ex: music program or mental health program)

​

5 of 13

Fiscal Responsibility

  • Continue increased costs for students with disabilities
  • Facility maintenance
  • Federal and State mandates
  • Contract obligations
    • HPEA Contract Expires June 30, 2024
  • Look for ways to save money
    • Health Care Plan
    • Possible Transportation Jointures
    • Student Enrollment/Needs

​

6 of 13

2024-2025 Budget

  • The budget will enable the district to maintain…
    • Schools fully staffed with qualified personnel
    • Maintain certificated staff and current class sizes
    • Instructional resources - update and align to standards (ELA, Math, Science & MLL)
    • Instructional programs except Mandarin for incoming 6th graders
    • Facilities maintenance
    • Courtesy transportation for students on hazardous routes

7 of 13

2024-2025 Budget

  • The budget will enable the district to provide…
  • Facilities improvements
    • Bartle boys bathroom, Bartle masonry repair, Irving foundation repair, flooring at Middle and High School, etc.
  • Expand preschool by two additional classrooms
  • Expand special education classrooms
    • Middle School Glow (due to enrollment)
  • Maintain Interventionists (previously funded out of ARP ESSER)

​

​

8 of 13

Finances

9 of 13

Revenue 2024-2025 Snapshot

Budgeted Revenue (2.78% general tax levy increase)

​

2023-2024

2024-2025

Change $

Notes:

Tax Levy

30,822,230

31,678,775

856,545

2.78%

State Aid

6,416,165

6,144,009

-272,156

-4.24%

Projected Extraordinary Aid

700,000

1,000,000

300,000

Estimate; 2023-2024 aid will not be known until July 2024

Other Local Sources and Interest

380,000

565,300

185,300

Includes interest, tuition, PILOT $, enterprise activities, refunds of prior year expenses

Federal Aid (SEMI)

54,289

56,147

1,858

Amount determined by the State

Subtotal Operating Revenue only

38,372,684

39,444,231

1,071,547

Increase in Operating Revenue is 2.74%

Non-recurring revenue supporting operating expenses:

Utilization of Capital Reserve

1,326,129

426,129

-900,000

Bartle boys bathroom, masonry repair, Irving foundation repairs, MS door replacement, HS/Irving flooring

Utilization of Maintenance Reserve

186,592

250,000

63,408

​

Utilization of Emergency Reserve

200,000

60,402

-139,598

Integrate security cameras at Bartle/Irving, Entrance Gate at Irving

Surplus Available

1,999,817

1,686,878

-312,939

​

Total

42,085,222

41,867,640

-217,582

-0.52%

10 of 13

Expenditures 2024-2025 Snapshot

​

2023-2024

Budget

2024-2025

Projected

Change $

Change %

Regular Programs - Instruction

9,156,621

9,550,379

393,758

4.30%

Total Special Education - Instruction

4,500,339

4,325,859

-174,480

-3.88%

Total Bilingual Education - Instruction

331,192

360,189

28,997

8.76%

Total Co-Curricular, Athletics, After School and Summer programs

681,587

720,437

38,850

5.70%

Total Supplemental/At Risk - Instruction

457,299

463,098

5,799

1.27%

Total Tuition

3,902,675

4,003,139

100,464

2.57%

Attendance, Health, Related Services, Oth Support Services and Guidance

3,089,551

3,693,628

604,077

19.55%

Other Student Support Services - Special Education (CST)

1,399,462

1,344,304

-55,158

-3.94%

Improvement of Instruction, Staff Training, Media Services

888,624

920,804

32,180

3.62%

School, District, Central and IT Administrative Costs

3,006,294

3,190,907

184,613

6.14%

Operation and Maintenance of Plant (includes security)

3,157,055

3,320,973

163,918

5.19%

Student Transportation Services

2,960,975

2,939,150

-21,825

-0.74%

Employee Benefits

6,916,554

6,097,533

-819,021

-11.84%

Capital Outlay

1,385,148

608,484

-776,664

-56.07%

Transfer of funds to charter schools

250,546

327,457

76,911

30.70%

Transfer of Interest to Capital/Maintenance Reserve

1,300

1,300

0

0.00%

Total Budget

42,085,222

41,867,640

​

​

11 of 13

Budget 2024-2025 Snapshot

Estimated Tax Impact on 2.78% School Year Tax Increase

2023 Avg. Assessed Home Value

(est. $480,493)*

*Per Highland Park CFO 3/6/24

2023

2024

Annual

Change

General Tax Levy

30,229,860

31,250,503

1,020,643

Debt Service Tax Levy

1,804,364

1,806,991

2,627

Total School Tax Levy

32,034,224

33,057,494

1,023,270

Est. Net Taxable Valuation (as of 10/1/23)

2,146,465,200

2,146,292,700

-172,500

School Tax Rate w/ repayment of debt per ($100,000)

1.492

1.540

0.048

Est. Annual Tax on Average Home

7,168.96

7,399.59

230.63

12 of 13

Budget Information on the Web

​

1. www.hpschools.net

2. Button for 2024-2025 Budget

​

13 of 13

2024-2025 Budget