Get out there and vote

The annual school board elections will take place Tuesday, April 19. This is the only chance that New Jersey residents get to vote on something that brings them a direct, and substantial, tax impact.

In Brick, under this year’s $124,310,790 school budget, approximately $73.8 million will be raised by the tax levy. If approved by voters, the 12.5-cent increase will bring the tax rate from $1.552 to $1.677 per $100 of assessed value. The owner of property assessed at the township average of $141,777 would see a $177 increase in school taxes. For the owner of a home assessed at $100,000, school taxes would rise by approximately $125.

The budget will not only fund the education of local children, it also will affect all that goes along with a quality school system, including better property values. So, nothing could be more important than voting next week.

While voting in the school election should be a priority, recent history shows that most residents don’t consider it worthy of a trip to the polls. And in some places, the budget was approved by voters, or failed, with just a handful of votes as the difference.

Last year, 4,213 taxpayers voted against the budget (54 percent of those who voted), while 3,614 voted in favor of it (46 percent of those who voted). Of Brick’s 49 voting districts, the budget passed in 24 and failed in 25. The budget was crushed at 11 of 13 polling places stationed in Brick’s senior developments by 1,558 votes (75 percent) to 531.

Outside those senior communities, voters approved the budget in 23 districts and rejected it in 14. A total of 3,169 (53 percent) votes were cast in favor in non-senior districts vs. 2,762 (47 percent) against.

The school budget vote not only has a significant impact on property taxes, but also on programs offered in the schools. And, any time a budget is defeated, the consequences can be serious. When the school budget failed to garner residents’ approval last year, the Brick Township Council cut 6.2 cents off the 15.4-cent proposed tax rate increase, much to the dismay of school officials.

While we hope for a better turnout and that voters will make informed decisions in the school election, we are pleased to see that there is an interest in serving on the school boards. Two Board of Education members, Dr. William Boyan and Frank Pannucci, are seeking re-election this year. And Virginia Reinhold and Dan Rosa are both running for the first time for a seat on the board.

If these candidates are willing to donate countless hours of their time to represent the school district, then residents should also get involved. We urge our readers to make their voices heard by setting aside a moment to head to the polls on Tuesday.

Just a reminder: The polls in Brick will be open from 2 until 9 p.m.