The Margate City Board of Education maintains its office on the third floor of the William H. Ross Elementary School, which was built 20 years ago.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The Board of School Estimate met remotely Thursday, March 26 and voted to approve the school district’s 2021-2022 school budget as presented.
The budget holds the line on tax increases and preserves all educational programs. The $13.3 million operating budget includes a $10,498,077 tax levy, which is the same amount as the two prior years. A $37.6 million increase in the city’s total assessed valuation helped keep the tax rate stable.
A homeowner will pay $321 for every $100,000 of assessed valuation, down $3 over last year’s amount.
Interim Superintendent Thomas Baruffi, who will leave the district at the end of the school year, said the year of COVID-19 was challenging, yet successful. Margate is the only school district in Atlantic County to have in-person learning throughout the school year, with an abbreviated school day, due to the size of the two schools and the number of students enrolled.
“We were able to develop schedules to make that happen,” he said.
The district plans to maintain the buildings as an “integral part” of the city, and numerous capital projects that couldn’t be completed last year will be done this year.
He noted that administrative positions are being consolidated upon the retirement of Supervisor of Instruction Loreen Cohen on July 1.
“My position will be replaced internally, and the person replacing me will also take over the curriculum responsibilities,” he said. “Two administrative positions will be replaced by one.”
He said the district is planning to be back to a normal school day in September.
All three commissioners on the board commended the district for the quality of education offered.
William H. Ross School Principal Audrey Becker stated that several part-time residents who decided to stay in Margate during the pandemic have sold their primary homes and will become permanent residents. The district welcomed an additional 25 students this year.
Mayor Michael Becker, who was a member of the school board for more than 20 years and interacts with the public at his job at the local hardware store, said it gives him “great joy” when new residents and parents say how happy they are with the quality of education offered in the Margate schools.
“I’m not a big believer in virtual learning, I don’t think it works,” Becker said, expressing gratitude for the efforts to ensure students were able to attend classes in person.
Commissioner John Amodeo said he was “proud” to support the budget as presented and thanked school administrators, teachers and staff for ensuring a good year for the children of Margate.
“You made this extremely tough year a good year for our kids,” he said.
Commissioner Maury Blumberg said he thought it was a good budget and that he was “happy and satisfied” with it.
Margate spends $32,998 to educate each of its 386 students, including $19,929 for classroom instruction, $18,550 for supplies and textbooks, $5,223 for maintenance and operations, $4,980 for support services and $2,226 for administration.
Copyright Mediawize, LLC 2021
