On Thursday, March 27 the Westwood Regional Board of Education introduced an approximately $46 million budget for the 2008/2009 school year, a total increase of 3.95 percent.

The tax increase for the owner on an average home in Westwood assessed at $395,691 will be $215.16. In the Township of Washington the tax increase will be $187.80 on an average home assessed at $548,000.

The proposed tax rate per $100,000 assessed home value is going up from $117.94 to $123.20 in Westwood and $104.65 to $107.96 in Washington Township .

There are no proposed cuts and all programs and activities will be maintained.

At the board meeting, district Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller said there were difficult external factors the board had to contend with when making the budget this year. “I can’t say enough about how wonderful this board is and how hard they work,” Zoeller said.

Special Education costs are on the rise and utilities such as gas and water costs are also going to increase by an estimated 10 to 15 percent. Similarly, general liability insurance, and workers compensation are expected to rise.

Although the district saw a slight increase in state aid this year, it still makes up only 6.77 percent of the total budget. The state aid also includes cuts in special education funding. Approximately 86 percent of the budget is coming from the local tax levy.

In addition to the budget increase, the district is seeking a supplemental sum of money to support several initiatives in its elementary programs. In order to “prepare the 21st century student,” Zoeller would like to hire two school library/media specialists, a world language teacher, an art teacher, and a music teacher. According to Zoeller, these new teachers would allow the district to expand its full-day kindergarten program and “enhance the overall k-4 experience.”

The second question would cost an additional $32.88 for the average assessed home in Westwood and $39.96 in Washington Township . It would increase the budget by 0.62 percent and needs a supermajority of 60 percent to pass.

The Board of Education elections and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, April 15. Polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m.