Bridgewater-Raritan School Board Presents Budget

At a meeting of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education which was still in session at this writing (10:15 p.m.), Interim Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Dyer presented a budget update for the 2014-2015 school year.

The school district’s proposed operating budget for 2014-2015 stands at $143.1 million an increase of $3.6 million (2.54%) from last year's $139.5 million spending level.  That includes state aid of $9.3 million.

Taxes are scheduled to rise by $22.30 for every $100,000 of a home's assessment in Bridgewater.  In Raritan, due to a state-mandated formula that is based on the relationship of ratables between the two communities, there will be a scheduled decrease of $36.06 per $100,000 of a home's assessme

Overboard on Myers

In the beginning, it seemed reasonable enough.  The editors of the Newark Star Ledger, (NSL), buoyed by intensive investigative reporting shone a bright light on the sex scandal swirling around Michael Fugee.  Simultaneously, it focused its attention on the role of the Archbishop of Newark (NJ) in this matter. 

Fugee has since been removed from the Roman Catholic priesthood.  Others alleged to have had responsibility or influence over him have been disciplined, demoted, or removed from contact with youth.

Once the Fugee matter was resolved, the NSL refocused its attention on the planned Hunterdon County retirement home of Newark Archbishop, John J. Myers. 

The NSL’s editorial staff considers the place too extravagant and too expensive.  It wants him to sell it and to donate the money to charity.  It further insists that Myers quit his job as archbishop.

Ignore Star-Ledger Editorial Plea: “Crunch Time for America”

In an editorial which appeared in today’s The Star Ledger  (S/L) under the headline quoted above, the writer is cautioning all those who are eligible to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that they had better do it before the March 31^st deadline, or face “fines” which “are higher than many people think.”

Take a deep breath and relax.  That editorial is wrong.

Schilder to Assume School Post in Frenchtown, NJ

Dr. Schilder, 4th person from the right, on July 23, 2013.

Dr. J. Michael Schilder who retired August 1, 2013, as Superintendent for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will take on a new position as Interim Superintendent for the Frenchtown School District on a per diem pay basis, according to a report which appeared yesterday in the Hunterdon Democrat.  His daily rate of pay has not yet been disclosed, but is reported to be below cap.

School Board Seeks Waiver from Administrative Cost Limit

Tuesday evening, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education (BR-BOE) will discuss and vote upon a resolution which, if passed, will petition the Somerset County Executive Superintendent to grant the board a waiver that will permit the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District “to exceed its Administrative Cost limit.”

The Board’s petition claims that the school district “requires additional certificated administrators to effectively and efficiently meet the requirements of TEACHNJ and to provide administrative coverage in school in the absence of the principal.”

The incremental personnel cost of this waiver is not specified in the resolution.  However, a February 25^th, 2014 Budget Update identifies the potential need for an additional “8 administrators” at a “minimum of $960,000 in salary and benefits,” without mention of whether or not this item is related to the waiver request.