District deals with defeat Failure of budget to pass has school officials looking at where to make cuts, staffing changes. Thursday, April 17, 2008 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | Phillipsburg School District officials have a lot of work ahead of them and not just because their proposed $7 million tax levy was rejected by 74 votes Tuesday. They're planning administrative department changes, contending with the departure of their two top administrators and hashing out what could be a reduction of as many as 61 positions. "We'll sit down with council and review it," board President Paul Rummerfield said of the defeated spending plan. Town council will now scrutinize the proposed $59.6 million budget. It can, but is not required to, recommend cuts. This year's painful budget process was guided by an initial $10 million gap school officials blamed largely on a new state funding formula. Under the proposed budget, the tax rate would increase 9 cents to $1.28 per $100 of assessment. Reducing staff is one strategy school officials are using to make ends meet, but firm decisions have yet to be made. Early proposed budget documents showed about 40 teaching positions on the chopping block. The board's personnel committee is scheduled to meet next week to discuss eliminations and bumps within the district, Rummerfield said. Board committees meet behind closed doors. "We still have our work cut out for us," Rummerfield said. It is unclear how the seven retirement requests approved during Monday's board meeting affects the total number of staff cuts. Board members approved an earlier than anticipated retirement date for Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline Attinello. Last year, she submitted a retirement request effective Sept. 1, but recently moved it to June 1 because she has accepted a new position. She is slated to become the director of curriculum, instruction and educational technologies with the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 in Schnecksville, Pa. "It's been a great 34 years," Attinello said as she wished the district well Monday night. Her salary for 2007-08 is $137,031. Rummerfield doesn't know if the board will replace Attinello. He expects to have a better idea after board members meet with the New Jersey School Boards Association to discuss the ongoing chief school administrator search. Former Superintendent Gordon Pethick left the district in January under an early separation agreement. His contract was not renewed and would have expired June 30. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.