Morris District unveils $103M budget under cap; small tax hikes for Morristown and Township

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By Kevin Coughlin

The Morris School District board introduced a $103 million budget on Monday that will add teachers, full-day preschool sessions, district-wide WiFi, PSAT tests for Morristown High School juniors, and a new wing at the high school–while staying below the state-imposed 2 percent spending cap.

Taxpayers in the regional district still will see slight increases, however.

Morris District Supt. Mackey Pendergast. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morris District Supt. Mackey Pendergast. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Someone owning a Morristown home assessed at $354,000, the town average, will pay an additional $204 annually–an extra $17 a month–in school taxes.

In Morris Township, which has undergone a property revaluation, the owner of an average home (the value had been $390,000; we must clarify the new figure) will pay another $19 per year — amounting to $1.58 extra per month, according to the district.

Although each municipality sends roughly the same number of children to the district’s 10 schools, the Township foots almost two-thirds of the local tab, based on a complex formula that “equalizes” property values. The amount to be raised by taxes this year is $87 million, rounded off.

Trustees unanimously approved the budget’s introduction. It’s up for adoption on April 25, 2016. Because the budget stayed below the state cap, no public election is required.

Virtually all local tax dollars go directly towards education, said district Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast, thanks to a decade of  “wise stewardship” prior to his arrival that has kept debt low.  Only 0.7 percent of the budget is for paying off debt; the district is on pace to become debt-free by 2019.

“Curriculum, in my opinion, is everything,” said Pendergrast, who outlined plans to:

  • Add six language arts teachers and another counselor at Frelinghuysen Middle School
  • Add to the music staff at Frelinghuysen
  • Hire a district-wide security coordinator
  • Expand the pre-school program from half day to full day this fall
  • Offer PSAT tests to juniors at the high school
  • Erect new bleachers at the high school and the Sussex Avenue School
  • Add 91 parking spaces at the high school
  • Open the high school’s new wing this fall

At the same time, Pendergrast said, teacher salaries are increasing by 2.75 percent and employee healthcare costs are rising by 9 percent. He said the district held its budget increase to 1.86 percent by shaving expenses across 20 areas.

District transportation costs are down, along with the number of local students who attend outside districts that would receive tuition from the Morris district, Pendergrast added.

Another apparent source of relief is a $339,000 increase in state aid, a welcome development after years of decreasing or flat state funding.

But it turns out the lion’s share of that money–$230,000–is earmarked to cover an increase in mandatory district aid to the Unity Charter School, which will receive $1.5 million from the district. A “state facility tuition increase” will chew up another $71,000, leaving just $38,000 in additional state funds for the district’s use.

‘ALMOST EVERY TEAM IS COMPETING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP’

Morris District Board President Leonard Posey. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morris District Board President Leonard Posey. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Pendergrast, who was hired last year, rattled off a string of student achievements that he said are indicative of the district’s success.

A STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) has taken root in the elementary schools, where test scores are strong and the mantra is “Each Student Belongs,” he said.

At Frelinghuysen Middle School, nearly 70 percent of students participate in school choirs, bands or orchestras, the superintendent said, and the school offers sports programs worthy of a high school.

“Almost every Morristown team is competing for a championship,” he said, one week after the MHS varsity won its second state hockey title.

Twenty-five high school students have obtained grants to study abroad, and nearly 30 seniors have received early decisions for admission to top universities including Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, Michigan and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Construction of the new high school addition began last June, when Pendergrast joined the district, and the expansion be completed in time for classes in September, thanks to a mild winter that has enabled work to proceed swiftly, the superintendent said.

He anticipates equipping the new space with advanced 3D printers and wood manufacturing gear to prepare students for careers in high-tech manufacturing.

Board member J.B. Blanchard likes the district's low debt. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Board member J.B. Blanchard likes the district’s low debt. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

It all was music to trustees’ ears.

“I believe that our staff and superintendent are great stewards of the community’s money,” said board President Leonard Posey.

“They’ve done a great job of meeting the expectations our citizens have of providing the best public education possible.”

Board member J.B. Blanchard echoed Pendergrast’s views on the district’s frugal ways.

“All the money that comes into this district goes to students,” Blanchard said. “There is no debt.”

20160314_202930-resized-800 Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast unveils a Morris School District with an increase below the state's 2 percent cap. Photo by Kevin Coughlin, march 14, 2016
Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast unveils a Morris School District with an increase below the state’s 2 percent cap. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

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20160314_201243-resized-800 'Curriculum, in my opinion, is everything,' said Morris District Supt. Mackey Pendergrast. Photo by Kevin Coughlin, march 14, 2016
‘Curriculum, in my opinion, is everything,’ said Morris District Supt. Mackey Pendergrast. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

1 COMMENT

  1. Not quite sure how the Township is supposed to cover 2/3rd of the cost and their average homeowners pay an extra $1.58 Per month while the Tqwn homeowner pays an additional $17.00 per month.

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