Oradell Taxpayers Expect $43 School Tax Increase

With state aid remaining flat and Trenton requiring $43,261 to be returned, the Oradell Public School's 2013-14 budget will include a $43 increase to the average homeowner under the recently introduced $11.1 million budget.

The proposed budget comes in at the state mandate 2% tax levy cap of $10,043,194 after OPS learned it would again receive $328,932 in state aid.

According to OPS Business Administrator Alfredo Aguilar, the $43 tax increase is the current estimate while the district waits on the final 2012 ratables amount to be determined by the borough. The increase is based on the 2011 numbers.

For the second year in the row, OPS like many other school districts in New Jersey, was hit with a new fee to return a portion of their state aid for the School Development Authority. Oradell is required to turn over $43,261 back to Trenton.

In prior years, Oradell taxpayers saw tax increases of $64.91 per household in 2011 and a $62.19 increase in 2012. Last year's budget allowed for new technology to be installed and the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program at OPS.

The public hearing for the 2013-14 school budget will be held on March 27, 7:30pm.

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