School Tax Bill Rises Under Tentative Budget

The average school tax bill will increase $156 over last year’s bill, according to budget figures provided by the school district.

The Wall Township school board on Thursday released additional figures supporting its $60 million 2011-12 tentative budget that were unavailable when the Board of Education voted to introduce the spending plan Tuesday.

The  $60,690,000 budget is up $1,004,500 from last year’s $59,685,500 budget, an increase of about 1.68 percent.

The 2011-12 plan, while not yet finalized, is supported by a $56,750,239 tax levy, which is up $1,032,890 from the 2010 levy of $55,717,349. That’s an increase of about 1.85 percent.

The proposed tax rate of $1.557 for each $100 of home value is up 4.9 cents from last year’s rate of $1.508, an increase of 3.25 percent.

On a property valued at $318,223 – the township average, according to the state Department of Community Affairs -- the school tax bill under the tentative plan would be $4,954.73, an increase of $155.93 over last year’s $4,798.80 bill.

The school tax bill is only one portion of the overall property tax bill, which also includes municipal, fire district and county taxes.

Schools Superintendent James Habel on Tuesday said the budget was malleable and could be changed before the March 29 public presentation.

Included in the tentative spending plan is West Belmar School, which under the plan . The district’s custodial staff, however, would be outsourced, officials have said.