Cranbury school budget passes 3-to-1.
By: Josh Appelbaum
Cranbury voters gave a big thumbs up to the district’s $15.6 million school budget Tuesday.
Voters overwhelmingly supported the plan, which includes a $12.4 million tax levy, by a 3-to-1 ratio, with 303 residents voting for and 76 against.
Voters also re-elected three incumbents, Kenneth Griffin, Frank Ransegnola and Elizabeth Silverman, to three-year terms.
Mr. Griffin received 380 votes, Ms. Silverman received 307 votes and Mr. Ransegnola received 303 votes. The three ran unopposed.
The budget includes a 1.1-cent tax rate decrease from last year despite a 16 percent increase in overall spending.
The increase in spending is largely offset by a 7.7 percent increase in taxable property in the township, which dropped the tax rate to $2.18 per $100 of assessed valuation for the 2005-2006 school year. Assessments increased from $545.329 million in January 2004 to $587.018 million in 2005.
Under the new tax rate, the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $225,000 will pay $4,905 in school taxes, a $22 decrease from 2004-2005.
With a decreasing tax rate and three incumbent candidates running unopposed, turnout Tuesday was low. Of the 2,511 registered voters in Cranbury, 381 voted, about 15 percent, down from 16 percent in 2004.
Francis Staples of Griggs Road said he came out to vote for the incumbents, who he admires for their willingness to serve on the board.
He said he voted in favor of the budget in order to support the school system and thought the tax decrease carried by the 2005-2006 budget was an added incentive.
"I thought the decrease was nominal, but better than an increase," Mr. Staples said. "As they say, better than a sharp stick in the eye."
Cranbury Green resident Theresa Vaccaro said she has been satisfied with the board’s spending plans in recent years.
"I’ve been pretty happy with what the school has been doing," Ms. Vaccaro said. "Cranbury isn’t a very extravagant district, not like some school districts in surrounding communities."
Phillip and Natalie Rodefeld of Evans Drive said they had a special obligation to come out and support the Board of Education. Mr. Rodefeld is a former member of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District and Ms. Rodefeld taught at Cranbury School for 27 years, retiring in 2003.
"Being on the Board of Education is a thankless job," Mr. Rodefeld said. "I think the school board provides a high quality of education in Cranbury."
Other residents voted simply because they could.
Although Dale Smith declined to comment on the election, having been a former school board member, he said he votes in every board election.
"I always vote," he said.
Anne Hauschild was compelled to vote in the school board election after attending a meeting in late 2004.
"I went to the meeting and I was very impressed with (board member) Elizabeth Silverman," Ms. Hauschild said. "So I chose to come out and support her."
Don Chambers of Farmstead Way also said he came out to vote in order to give his continued support to the incumbents, and to make sure the budget passed.
"One reason I came out was to give the candidates my support. I think the candidates have all done a good job," Mr. Chambers said. "And I thought the budget was appropriate."
Janice Mondoker of Hallsey Road voted on Tuesday as a way to show appreciation to the school board, but said she wished more people were willing to serve on the Board of Education.
"I guess some people don’t want to get involved in the discussions they need to have, but I’m thankful to those who do it," Ms. Mondoker said.

