Budget Conversations with the Board of Education
The Cherry Hill Board of Education is seeking the help of community groups throughout the township. In these difficult financial times, the Board recognizes its responsibility to meet and discuss the school budget and other issues with as many residents as possible. Board members are seeking your help in that effort. With the help of Cherry Hill Zone PTA, we have scheduled four opportunities– organized by grade configuration level – to share information and listen to your comments. We’ll provide some opening comments to frame the conversation; after that, we hope to hear from you about the school issues that you think are important. We want to hear from as many community members as possible as the Board attempts to craft a budget that maintains quality educational programs for our students and is also fair to all involved. Please join us at one of the following meetings:

Thursday, March 4 – Conversation with High School Parents, Malberg Administration Building, 45 Ranoldo Terrace, 7-8:30 PM

Monday, March 8 – Conversation with Elementary Parents, Bret Harte Elementary School, 1909 Queen Anne Dr., 7-8:30 PM

Monday, March 15 – Conversation with Middle School Parents, Rosa International Middle School, 485 Browning Ln., 7:30-9 PM

Thursday, March 25 – Conversation with Elementary School Parents, KilmerElementary School, 2900 Chapel Ave., 7-8:30 PM

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If you can’t attend one of these informal conversations, you are welcome to come to the Board of Education’s Special Budget Meetings, during which the full board and administration will discuss the budget. These meetings also include the opportunity for public input. The dates of BOE Special Budget Meetings are:

• Tuesday, March 2 – Malberg Administration Building, 7 PM
• Tuesday, March 16 – Malberg Administration Building, 7 PM

Additional Budget Meetings will be added as needed, and will include the Public Hearing; the Public Hearing must occur between March 26 and April 3.

SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE- PLEASE READ
  
At the first Board of Education meeting discussing the 2010-2011 Budget on January 19th we heard some concerning news about the state of our budget in Cherry Hill  and the uncertainty about state aid. Please visit our district site for an overview of that meeting  http://www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/budget/index.cfm

Since that meeting,  you may have read in the newspaper in the last days that it confirms or probably exceeds the worst expectations with regards to our 2010-2011 BUDGET YEAR.

The state is withholding state aid this year and forcing school districts to tap their reserves, including ALL of the excess surplus that the district had prudently planned to use to support the 2010-2011 budget.  
Cherry Hill is losing $3.9 million, which amounts to about 23% of this year’s state aid.

We still don’t know the extent of next year’s state aid reductions, but school districts have been advised by County Superintendents to plan for state aid reductions as high as 25% for 2010-2011.  (State aid figures won’t be confirmed until mid-March.)

The Board of Education held a budget meeting on Tuesday, February 16 to discuss projected revenues (revised to reflect the withholding of state aid), the gap between projected revenues and the “first look” budget, and reductions that will be necessary to close the gap.  Click HERE to view the presentation from that meeting. The following was discussed: 

·  A discussion of projected revenues, revised based on information we received today about withholding of state aid
· The gap between projected revenues and the “first look” budget, and
· The reductions that will be necessary to close that gap.  There will be reductions. 

 *The magnitude of the reductions will depend on whether the Board wants to keep the levy flat again in 2010-2011, go to cap, or settle somewhere in between. The magnitude will be of a different level than we have ever experienced in Cherry Hill

Please click here to read the press release found on the Cherry Hill District website explaining the most recent developments http://www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/news/news/detail.cfm?itemid=3403

Thank you for your attention!

Liz Snyder
Kilmer PTA President

www.paintatallfiredup.com
602 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
856.833.1330

Joyce Kilmer PTA – 5th Grade Committee

Redeem your All Fired Up! Gift Certificate and not only will you save money but Joyce Kilmer PTA (5th Grade) will receive 10% of your purchase.

You can use this anytime between Now and June 30, 2010.

Great place for Holiday, Birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day Gifts etc. or just plain old fun time with friends or family. Be sure to hand them out to friends and family as well. *Cannot be used for Birthday Parties or Gift Card Purchases* 

click here to print the coupon

The Joyce Kilmer PTA welcomes you to another exciting school year!  We hope that the 2009-10 school year proves to be a time of new beginnings and learning experiences for you and your children.

Hoping to be involved in family activities, to meet other parents, and to volunteer? Thinking about becoming a room parent? Wondering what new programs and issues are being discussed in the school district? Interested in school health and safety issues or beautification? All of these concerns, and many more, are reasons to join PTA.

PTA membership is open to anyone --  parents, guardians, grandparents, or community members --  who cares about the children of Joyce Kilmer School.  We welcome and invite your participation.

In this kit you will find: a letter from our PTA president, Liz Snyder; a membership form and envelope; a volunteer form; a room parent form; and a school directory form. You will also find a schedule of PTA meetings and events and contact information for the Kilmer PTA Executive Board.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve your children and our wonderful school.  We look forward to seeing you at all of our meetings and functions.

Sincerely,
Joyce Kilmer PTA

>> click here to download the Kilmer PTA Membership Kit  l  download membership form only

Join the 5th Grade Committee

We are currently in the process of putting together a 5th grade committee to work on various fundraisers, activities, yearbook, etc.  Our first meeting will be on Tuesday September 22nd at 7pm in the Kilmer Library.  We would love to have everyone come out and share any ideas they may have to make this a fabulous year for our children.

Click here download the form here and return it to the school ASAP or email it to one the the members located on the form.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.