WEST MILFORD The increased cost of energy for heating and transportation is taking a toll on school budgets throughout the state. Since New Jersey schools are subject to S-1701, a law that limits annual budget increases to approximately 2 percent (or the Consumer Price Index increase) per year, various approaches to are being implemented to deal with the high energy costs we are now experiencing. Even if there were no S-1701, the oil price increase is affecting schools all over the US, necessitating responses as radical as consideration of four-day school weeks, charging teachers for using electric coffee pots and ordering bus drivers to eliminate, or at least minimize idling their vehicles. From Idaho to Wisconsin to South Carolina, setting classrooms thermostats lower and advising parents to dress their children appropriately (more warmly) is one of the ways some districts have been handling the problem. In West Milford, the responses to the budget cap/high price of energy are numerous. The district joined with more than 100 other school districts in attempting to revise S-1701, to allow for some relaxation based on the energy crises. They were partially successful in moving a bill through the Assembly, but the State Senate has stalled the proposal in Committee, and there does not appear to be any possibility of final approval of this bill at this time. Several other initiatives have been implemented by the West Milford board to address the overall budget cap, not only that which is energy-related. According to District Business Administrator/Board Secretary Steven Cea, board responses include “elimination of after-school clubs, cutting two technical facilitator positions and a couple of other non-classroom positions, and reducing purchase of supplies by 11 percent. Also, new revenue through parking fees at the high school is in place.” Effective utilization of energy over the past 10 years has resulted in two new replacement boilers with a third replacement due to be installed in the coming year. Energy-efficient windows and lighting, and new roof insulation have also been completed. “Classroom thermostats have been lowered a bit - this is public knowledge, and teachers are asked to turn off the lights in empty classrooms,” according to Cea. He added, “ I haven’t seen January’s heating bills, but even with usage down, we have to expect the costs to be up. For the season, we have already spent close to what we spent all of last year.” In the next couple of weeks, the district will be experimenting with a bio-diesel altered vehicle, which is designed to reduce use of diesel fuel and also be cleaner-burning with less emission. This is not seen as a major long-term solution, but more as an education/awareness effort on the part of the district. Cea added: “We’re investigating any and all means to control costs. We are open to suggestions and we take them seriously.” Over the next few weeks, the board will be addressing next year’s budget to be submitted to the state. A budget workshop of the full board is scheduled for February 21, and the regular meeting is February 28.