BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — The Board of Education appears to be resigned to the fact that there will be a cut in the defeated school budget.
Board President Michael Baker said last week that he realizes Township Council members are planning to order a cut in the budget, which was voted down in the April 19 school election. The 28-cent tax rate increase proved too steep for the approximately 11 percent of registered voters who took participated in the election, but there is no word yet as to how much the tax hike will be reduced.
As proposed, the tax hike would raise school taxes by $280 next year for the owner of property assessed at $100,000.
The school board and council are not expected to meet publicly to discuss the budget prior to the council’s May 19 action on the matter. The district is answering questions from the council about the defeated budget, though, and council President David Stahl said he would ask Township Finance Director L. Mason Neely to review the information.
The council can order the tax hike to be reduced by whatever amount it deems appropriate. It can also recommend areas in the budget to be reduced in order to meet the tax reduction, but ultimately the district can choose which areas are cut. The district will also have the right to appeal the council’s decision, though Baker’s comments make it appear that an appeal would be unlikely.
During the meeting, Baker thanked those who did vote in the election, and noted that the low turnout does not provide a reason to disregard the vote, as some have argued.
Baker also offered a positive take on the defeated budget, saying it does not indicate the community does not support the school system. As proof that, he pointed to the successful passage of school budgets in the two prior years, as well as the approval of a $106.1 million building referendum in December.
Board members, as parents and taxpayers themselves, understand why some residents voted against the budget, he noted.
The district is cooperating with the council, he said, noting that the board provided the governing body with a budget preview a month before the election. He said the process has helped the council make a decision on the budget.
District officials will also fully answer any council members’ questions, Baker added.
The board is expecting a reduction in the tax hike, but its own members will decide where the actual cuts are made, he said.