The 3/27/17 revised preliminary 2017/2018 Ringwood School District Budget plans for the elimination of all janitorial staff, the entire gifted and talented program and staff, the entire 5th grade band program and its music teacher position, basic skills teacher, 1 counselor position, 1 administration, 1 secretary and 2+teaching staff as well as certain school day and after school programs. In the opinion of the supporters of this petition, this plan results in substantial losses to the efficiency and effectiveness of the K-8th grade Ringwood School District curriculum and operations. It is likely that a similar budget short fall will occur in the coming years.
The members of the Ringwood School District Board of Education have approved a preliminary budget of $24,462,252,00. This represents an approx. $709,930.00 short fall from the needed $25,172,281.00 to replace the cuts made to staffing, programming, janitors and services.
We the tax payers and residents of Ringwood ask the Ringwood School Board to adopt a resolution at its next scheduled meeting to present a general fund tax levy proposal as a seperate question in the next General Election, to override the 2% tax levy cap to cover the School District budget short fall for this coming school year and the near future. This would mean an increase in real estate taxes for homeowners in Ringwood and the use of that tax money to support our schools.
We ask that this question be put to Ringwood voters at the next 2017 General Election in Ringwood, NJ.
We ask that upon passage of the resolution, it be transmitted in the proper course of business to the Ringwood Borough Clerk, the Passaic County Clerk and all other necessary Offices and Officials to ACTIVATE this resolution and PUT THIS QUESTION TO THE VOTERS at the next General Election in Ringwood, NJ. We seek to generate financial support for our K-8 Schools in Ringwood, NJ for the near future. We want quality education for all Ringwood children. Thank you.
RINGWOOD TAX PAYERS, Families of K-8 Students, residents of Ringwood - our K-8 School District is experiencing a financial crisis due to lack of funding. We ask the Board of Education to put a question to the Ringwood taxpayers for an increase in taxes to cover the 2017-2018 budget year and any School budget short fall in the near future. Would you consent to an increase in YOUR taxes to avoid losing staff, programs, janitorial staff, 5th grade band program, after school programs, art club at Ryerson - over 20 jobs and the quality and effectiveness of our K-8 school curriculum? Please, sign this petition and tell the School Board to let the taxpayers of Ringwood decide whether they will pay more to keep these school district jobs, programs and services. It is in the best interest of all Ringwood residents and taxpayers to have the best possible K-8 Schools that we can have. We support education in Ringwood. Thank you.
