COURT HOUSE — A dozen more voters said “no” than ‘yes,” to Middle Township’s proposed $20.8-million tax levy for the K-12 school district on April 15. Because of that slim margin, 358-346, Middle Township Committee took action May 5.

On the Middle Township Committee agenda for the first meeting in May at 6 p.m. was a resolution to cut $300,000 from the defeated Middle Township Board of Education $20.8 million budget, a 1.5 percent reduction.

Had voters approved the budget as presented, the total tax rate would have climbed to 67.8 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared with 66.6 cents per $100 of assessed value in 2007.

If passed by the governing body, the cuts would reduce spending in 11 areas, and result in a budget of $20.5 million and a tax rate of 67 cents.

The Board of Education may, if displeased with the cuts, make application for restoration within 10 working days after the governing body’s action.

According to the proposed resolution, the governing body reviewed the matter “carefully” and believed that the cuts would still allow the district to provide the mandated “thorough and efficient education.”

“After discussion with the Township of Middle Board of Education, it was agreed that deductions to the proposed budget, as noted, could be made without jeopardizing the ability for a thorough ad efficient school system in the township,” the resolution stated.

After the reduction, the tax levy would be $20,541,715, according to the resolution.

Amounts to be cut: (line item amount, amount of reduction)

Athletic salaries: $424,029, $5,000.

Student Transportation Services, Salaries for Pupil Transportation Non-Public Schools, $153,083, $11,461.

Special education, $165,916, $4,320.

Non-instructional equipment, $162,500, $40,000.

Health benefits, $4,115,819, $15,000

Operations/Maintenance salaries, $1,346,801, $52,000.

Construction services, $221,952, $79,600.

Tuition/other $20,000, $20,000

Tuition to County Vocational School, $1,230,530, $8,000

Salaries of secretarial assistants, $440,486, $25,508.

Improvements of instructional services, $229,369, $39,111.

See the May 7 Herald print edition for the complete story.