Hampton Township School District

Marian Emmons McKeown Elementary School

One School Road (973) 383-5300

Newton, New Jersey 07860-6733 Fax (973) 383-3835

Kerry Keane Murphy Dominic Festante Everett C. Burns

Business Administrator/ Principal Chief School

Board Secretary Administrator

April 11, 2011

Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members:

The Hampton Township Board of Education School Election and Budget Vote are scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The polling places will be open from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the following locations:

District 1—Hampton Township Municipal Building

District 2—Hampton Township Community and Senior Center

District 3—Baleville Church

District 4—Hampton Commons Community Center

The Hampton Township School Budget has been designed by the staff, administration and members of the Board of Education to meet the full compliment of educational programs required by the State Department of Education’s Core Curriculum Content Standards for elementary students in our township. The students participating in these programs may be your own, your neighbors’ or even your own grandchildren who attend the McKeown Elementary School from the preschool handicap class to the sixth grade. These early years are vital to the success of the child as he/she matures into a lifelong learner. If the 2011-2012 school year budget is approved by the voters, it will allow our students to:

a. Attend classes with an average class size of 19 students

b. Participate in meaningful class trips

c. Select from a host of after school clubs and after school tutoring sessions

The Hampton Township School District provides fine instructional programs that are reviewed annually. We will continue to provide a quality educational service if given the opportunity. The proposed school budget for the 2011-2012 school year consists of a Total General Fund in the amount of $6,276,599 which is made up of eight major accounting categories. The pie chart that follows will show a pictorial view of the major components of the proposed expenditures for the 2011-2012 school year. The residents of Hampton are asked to support the local tax levy in the amount of $4,890,185 which is an increase in the tax levy of 1.58%. This 1.58% increase falls short of the 2.0 % cap.

IMPACT ON LOCAL TAXPAYERS

If the community supports the proposed 2011-2012 school year budget, the homeowner with the average $200,000 assessed home will see an increase in the portion of their taxes related to the McKeown Elementary School by $42.66 for the coming year.

Proposed Total General Current Expense

Where will the funding come from for the 2011-2012 school year budget?

For the 2010-2011 Budget Year For the 2011-2012 Budget Year

Amount Amount

Local Tax Levy $4,813,907 $4,890,185

State Sources $1,162,354 $1,265,414

Other & Free Balance $ 162,000 $ 121,000

Total General Fund $ 6,138,261 $6,276,599

In addition to the school budget, Hampton Township residents have been asked to fill 3 Board of Education positions. The following candidates are running for three positions and each position represents a three year term:

· Joseph Santora- incumbent

· Eleanor Shaffer – incumbent

· Scott Valentine

Remember to vote on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The hours of the polling places are

2:00 pm to 9:00 pm. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office

or Ms. Kerry Murphy, School Business Administrator for further details.

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What does it mean for the students?

If approved:

1. Students will still enjoy a quality program that incorporates all of the Core Curriculum Content Standards including the use of the latest technology in most lessons.

2. Access to instruction by teachers who are 100% highly qualified and 100% high performing as defined by NJDOE.