During the Monday, March 6, meeting of the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education, the preliminary budget for the 2023-24 academic year was presented and discussed. In all, it is expected to total more than $144 million, an estimated annual increase of $129 on the average home in Livingston. The main cost drivers, according to the district, were increases of over two percent to staff salary and health benefits, as well as general cost increases to supplies and technology.
Despite these increases, the tax impact is rising at a lower rate than previous years. According to the school district’s business administrator (who resigned from the district to pursue other opportunities at Monday’s meeting), that improvement was due to an increase in renewables, which allow the tax impact to be spread “amongst a larger pot of money.”
Included in the budget is money to hire an additional Livingston High School counselor; continued after school mental health services and care solace services; and upgrades to public address and fire alarm systems. Due to the increasing size of the student population, the budget will also fund two modular units at Burnet Hill and Hillside Schools, as well as modifications to existing classroom spaces at the high school. The budget will also allow for rebuilds of two schools’ boiler rooms; replacing carpeting and flooring, as needed, within all schools; repairing the front walkway at Harrison School; and installing a new fire panel at Hillside School.
There will also be new teaching positions added, to accommodate a changing curriculum and an increase in students. These include an elementary STEM teacher; an elementary physical education and health teacher; a district ESL teacher to accommodate the 50 percent increase in English Language Learner (ELL) students over the past two years; and math teachers at both Mt. Pleasant and Heritage middle schools. In fifth grade specifically, the district noted that the focus on math will be expanded. There is also money in the budget to hire three additional general education elementary teachers if there is a need to do so.
Balancing a budget of this size is never easy, and that is especially so given the challenges presented over the last few years. But it is paramount that we continue to invest in our students. Doing so is not only crucial to ensure our children have the brightest possible future, but it is also an investment in our town. Countless parents have said that our outstanding education system is the driving force for their decision to move to or remain in Livingston. Continuing to fund the schools at a level that ensures the district remains a leader in the state is for the betterment of our entire community. It appears that this is a responsible budget that accomplishes that goal. The tentative budget could be adopted as soon as the next meeting, on Tuesday, March 14, according to the presentation given on March 6.
