After defeating Lenape budget, Byram not happy with cuts

Byram - Members of the Byram Township Council are dissatisfied with proposed cuts in the Lenape Valley Regional High School budget which was defeated in a close vote April 18. Councilman Earl Riley, who noted it was the voters in Byram who brought the regional budget to defeat since it passed in Netcong and was virtually tied in Stanhope, said he was unhappy with the regional board’s proposal to cut the budget a mere $75,000. According to Byram Township Manager Gregory Poff, the regional board of education discussed a number of possible savings measures including bringing the transportation services in-house, using the district’s maintenance personnel for certain building modifications instead of contracting them out, and joining in a purchasing agreement with the sending districts. “The board desires student programs be maintained even if personnel must be cut,” said Poff. To accomplish the cuts, the regional board is suggesting reducing one guidance counselor position and six teacher’s aides positions from full-time to part-time. Riley pointed out that for a school budget of $12 million with an $8 million tax levy, a cut of $75,000 is what he labeled “insignificant.” Councilwoman Donna Griff expressed concern with the areas the regional board is proposing to cut. The deadline for approving or denying the amended budget is May 17. By state law, the regional board of education can appeal to the state to have the original budget restored if no consensus is reached among the three sending districts.