Bellmawr School Board OKs $14.5 Million Budget | GCN
Friday, April 27, 2012
By Chris Concannon
Gloucester City News
The Bellmawr Board of Education (BOE) approved the proposed $14.5 million 2012-13 school budget, which has a local tax levy of $7.9 million, during its recent meeting.
Recent legislation enacted by Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ), allows for municipalities who normally hold their School Board Elections in April, to move alongside the mainstream General Elections on November 6, and each November thereafter for the foreseeable future.
If the BOE can hold that budget under the 2 percent cap limit set forth by law, the proposal will not need to go to voters for public approval.
Yet, residents will still vote on School Board candidates.
Past public distaste for any hike has led to the historic defeat of the annual measure by voters, even in years where there was no tax increase at all.
Following the business of the budget, student writing presentations were made by the following 4th Grade students:
E.M. Burke: Gia Aguilar, Linsday Burleigh, Julia Flachetta, Shohag Kabir, Stephanie De Garmo and Angelina Shearer.
Bellmawr Park: Nathan Hannum, Natalie Klus and Maggie Luck.
The school reports were then read, with the Bellmawr Park report attached to the Board’s agenda.
Bell Oaks students Ryan Baja, Amanda Gies, John Gilchrist and Adam Hernandez, with the help of Ms. Sarlay, presented a report on their recent CBI trip to Philadelphia.
Superintendent Annette Castiglione announced that the March Staff Award from Bell Oaks was presented to Adele Conner.
Castiglione then presented her Superintendent’s Report, which touched on topics such as the monthly bullying report, February enrollments, as well as the Bell Oaks suspension report.
All business on the evening’s agenda was unanimously approved, including the following fundraising requests:
St. Jude’s Mathathon, Night at Bounce U, Bowling at Westbrook Lanes and Hoagie/T-Shirt Sale.
The Bell Oaks efforts will go toward raising money to aid children with cancer, and the Bellmawr Park fundraisers will help finance a fourth grade trip to the Museum of Natural History in New York June 2.
The BOE approved the Spring Concerts for the Bell Oaks Chorale in the gymnasium on Wednesday, May 16, with shows at 9:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Also okayed were the Bellmawr Tigers Basketball’s pizza party in Bell Oaks Cafeteria Friday, April 20; the Burke PTO Magic Show April 16; and the Basket Auction for Taylor Casey in the Bell Oaks gym Friday, May 11, from 3 to 11 p.m.
For information contact the District office, at (856) 931-6298, or at bellmawrschools.org.