Oceanport School Budget Increases Taxes 1.86 percent

Oceanport residents will be voting on April 27 to approve or reject a $31,000 education budget tax increase. This increase, as well as past school budgets, was discussed at the Oceanport Board of Education meeting on Thursday, March 24.

Superintendent Andrew J. Orefice, opened the meeting by noting that Oceanport has maintained programs including theater and sports, activities which are “vanishing in New Jersey, [which] we’re here to preserve.”

During these difficult times, Orefice stressed that Oceanport’s education “dollars are spent carrying out top notch education”.

The principals of Wolf Hill Elementary School  and Maple Place Middle School, Renee Bonin and Cory Radisch, respectively, strengthened Orefice’s opening words by analyzing the improvements made to both schools. Bonin and Radisch also commented on the success of the two schools' integration.

Radisch “honored the teachers who are doing more with less,” and expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort of the employees from both schools. 

Data analysis further cements the idea that integration reaps positive benefits, according to Bonin. The improved system allows the administration to be aware of every single student. Their efforts are not in vain, Bonin explained, as higher test scores have been recorded. 

Oceanport boasts the second lowest per pupil cost in Monmouth County. Currently, $11,375, cost per pupil is 14 percent less than the average per pupil cost for kindergarten through eighth grade students, or $14,288.

Despite the low cost, Oceanport continues to improve and maintain co-curricular activities, including a technology department and accelerated reading programs, while also updating  the building with security features including cameras.

Oceanport also has the fifth lowest administrative cost in Monmouth County, only $1,486 with the average administrative cost at $1,443.

Additionally, administrative personnel are taking on more responsibilities within the schools. Oceanport has saved money by using current employees to fill other positions within the district instead of hiring additional personnel.  

The board of education is proud that they are able to continue these programs instead of cutting them or establishing “pay to play” activities.

A large portion of Oceanport’s budget was saved due to the sale of their busses to Shore Regional. This sale saved Oceanport $30,000.

The 38 percent of the budget will be used for instruction, covering every aspect of education including teachers’ salaries and educational support materials. Health benefits will take up 18 percent of the budget( an increase of 35 percent), and special education funding comes in at 17 percent of the budget.

State aid has increased 50 percent from last year’s budget to $314,171, federal aid decreased 13 percent to $147,477, and tax levies from Oceanport and Sea Bright increased 1.86 percent to $8,858,841.

To continue Oceanport’s success, the Board of Education is urging residents to pass the $31,000 budget increase, a $15 increase per year for a $450,000 house in Oceanport. Residents can vote on April 27  from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at their local polling facilities.