Spending plan defeated by 438-237 margin
Manville voters rejected the school district’s proposed $13.5 million budget Tuesday by a vote of 438-287.
Unofficial results for the three three-year board seats show Michael Impellizeri was the top vote-getter at 541, followed by incumbent Lisa Galasso at 521.
The results also put incumbent Dorothy Bradley and newcomer Joseph Morella in a tie at 401 votes apiece. But after adding absentee and write-in votes, Ms. Bradley claimed the seat by a 408-403 margin.
In voting for the one one-year term, Mary Lou Cebula narrowly beat Theresa Schaefer, 337-327. Dr. Cebula was appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of Tim Calvo.
The budget proposal included a $980,000 increase in funding, most of which was budgeted for increased salaries and benefits that resulted from last year’s teacher contract.
Manville voters have approved proposed school budgets only two times in the last 12 years in 1999 and 1990.
The budget will be submitted to the Borough Council for possible reductions. Last year, council members stunned the community by voting to add to the defeated budget, adding $75,000 for the purchase of textbooks.