Dear Edgemont Neighbor:

The 2004-05 school year has been one of continuing achievements and careful planning for the future. By any standard, Edgemont offers its diverse student body the finest public education available today. The 2005-06 school budget prudently safeguards this standard. Adopted by the Edgemont Board of Education on
April 12, 2005, the $36,985,866 budget was developed with significant input from the entire Edgemont School community. Every budgetary line item is a response to the needs of the district’s school children consistent with principles of prudent financial management.

We recognize that the proposed budgets and tax-rate increases for the past three years are higher than they have been in recent years and that these are difficult economic times. The proposed budget reflects significant increased costs attributable to tax certiorari refund obligations, contributions to the teacher retirement system, and other contractually required expenses.

The proposed budget includes funds for the addition of one teacher in the elementary schools as a result of increased class enrollment, the planned expansion of the FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) program into Grade 4, the addition of one guidance counselor in the Junior-Senior High School in response to a large increase in enrollment over the last five years, and technology transmission line and server upgrades.

For further information, please read the Annual Report that was sent to your home. It is intended to answer questions you may have and to help you make an informed decision at the polls on May 17th.

Current projections of assessments and state aid suggest the proposed budget will raise next year’s school tax rate to approximately $463.47 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This represents a projected tax-rate increase of 12.22%. If you have any questions about our schools or the proposed budget, please feel free to call any board member (our numbers are in the Blue Book), Superintendent of Schools Nancy Taddiken (472-7768), or Assistant Superintendent Sue Shirken (472-7767). We welcome your comments.

We urge you to vote on the budget and for school board members on May 17th.

Richard Glickstein Sarah Stern Maggi Landau

David Chao Lisa Freund Mark Romney Marc Schneider