By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The 2021-2022 Ventnor preliminary school budget sent to Atlantic County Executive Superintendent of Schools Robert Bumpus for review will reduce the school tax rate by 2 cents. That’s a $25.83 decrease for every $150,000 of assessed valuation, Business Administrator Terri Nowotny said during a special Board of Education meeting held 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 3.
The school tax rate will decrease from $.85 to $.83 for every $100 of assessed valuation, mostly due to a $24 million increase in the city’s net valuation.
“This is a very responsible budget and I’m sure the city will appreciate it as it moves up to their level,” school board president Douglas Biagi said.
The $23.1 million budget includes a $17,232,698 tax levy, which is $150,000 less than last year, Nowotny said.
The budget includes improvements outlined in the district’s five-year capital plan and anticipated pandemic recovery costs, she said.
The budget accounts for a $214,246 reduction in state Adjustment Aid, which is $88,000 more than the district anticipated. It also includes $125,246 for pre-kindergarten aid, which is $23,000 more than the district anticipated.
A full presentation, including costs of tuition to Atlantic City High School and other school districts, and public hearing on the budget will be held at the board’s next meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.
The Board of School Estimate meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.
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