Silvestrov, Fox, Pierson elected to board in uncontested race.
By: Rob Heyman
WASHINGTON A difficult budget preparation season for school board members concluded Tuesday with a significant sigh of relief as voters passed the district’s $27.3 million budget by a vote of 911-754.
The budget called for a 20-cent tax increase from $2.58 per $100 of assessed property value to $2.78 meaning that a resident with a home assessed at the township average of $175,000 will now pay an additional $350, or a total of $4,865, in school taxes.
In the uncontested Board of Education election, Faith Silvestrov received 1,097 votes, Maxine Fox 1,083 and Doreen Pierson 1,075. Out of the township’s 7,385 registered voters, 1,675 or about 23 percent voted in Tuesday’s school board elections.
"We’re pleased with the results," said Superintendent Jack Szabo in an interview Tuesday night. "The voters have spoken and have given us their support for what we believe to be the important elements of funding our schools. I’m excited."
As for the year ahead, Dr. Szabo added, "we’re pleased that we’re able to provide the quality programs the community is accustomed to and that we can progress academically and athletically with the new high school."
Preparing the new school budget was not easy one for the Board of Education. Faced with limited state aid again this year, the board initially pondered drastic program cuts to control spending.
Rumors of possible elimination of full-day kindergarten drew more than 100 residents, including some teachers, to a school board meeting last month to protest the cuts. After assuring the residents that the kindergarten program was not under threat, many of board members spent the remainder of meeting criticizing the inequity of state aid and how it has painted the district into a corner when it comes to tax control.
One program some residents had hoped would be included in the budget, and which did generate some passionate support, was an ice hockey program for the high school. Officials said it was included in the final proposal.
"I’m relieved the process is complete," said Ms. Fox, who was re-elected to the board for a full, three-year term on Tuesday in an uncontested race for three seats.
Ms. Fox, 40, had served a single year on the board to finish the unexpired term of Flo Ganges.
"It (the budget process) was long and everyone on the board worked very hard," she added. "I’m looking forward to continuing my work as a board member."
Ms. Fox said she hopes to continue as the board’s liaison to the municipal government and chair of its community relations committee.
She also said she hopes to draw more attention to the state funding crisis and how it’s impacting towns like Washington. Ms. Silvestrov, 52, who’s served 15 years on the board, said Tuesday she’s "honored and excited to be voted in again" for another three years.
"I hope to continue the excellent quality of education, look at growth in community, be fiscally responsible, look at the state aid issue," she said as her goals.
Ms. Pierson could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

