The tax increase is needed to maintain programs, the superintendent says.
Voters will be asked next year if the Lopatcong Township School District can raise an additional $600,000 in taxes to help maintain programs.
The school board this week unanimously agreed to hold a referendum March 8.
If a referendum to raise the Lopatcong Township School District tax levy by $600,000 fails, the district will have to make "serious decisions" about its programs, the superintendent says. (NJ Advance Media file photo)The need arose due to a $300,000 deficit this year, which Superintendent Rainie Roncoroni said was the result of multiple financial obligations including contracts, benefits, educational programs and standardized testing.
"We started finding ways to manage our current deficit. And we're doing that, we're managing it. But we're trying to move forward," Roncoroni said.
"The hope with the referendum is that we will be able to sustain a balanced budget."
The district's elementary and middle school serves 874 students, according to its website.
Public forums on the referendum will be held in the coming months, including the findings of a late-summer audit, the superintendent said.
Roncoroni, a township resident, said the measure's estimated cost to the average household -- which, in Lopatcong, is valued at $231,601 -- is $141 for the year, or about $12 a month.
Without the additional money, the district will have to make "some serious decisions" about programs, she said.
"I think it's their right as Lopatcong residents to make an informed decision about how they want their district to move forward," the superintendent said.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
