Budget gets landslide approval

Cranbury voters approved the $14.8 million school budget, which includes a 7.04-cent tax increase, and elected each Joan Rue, Lynne Schwarz, and Bill Schraudenbach to three-year terms.

By: Jessica Beym
   Voters approved the district’s $14.8 million school budget by a 2-to-1 ratio on Tuesday and re-elected three incumbents to serve on the school board.
   The budget, which includes $13.8 million tax levy, was approved 291-135 while Joan Rue received 332 votes, Lynne Schwarz 356 votes and Bill Schraudenbach 338. Each will serve a three-year term.
   The budget includes a 7.04-cent tax rate increase, raising last year’s rate of $2.182 per $100 of assessed valuation, to $2.252. The owner of a house assessed at the township average of $225,000 will pay $5,067 in school taxes, a $158 increase from the current year.
   Voter turnout was low, with only 17 percent of the town’s 2,451 registered voters going to the polls. However, it was higher than last year when only 15 percent of those registered cast votes.
   Chief School Administrator Carol Malouf said she was disappointed by the low turnout, but was please with the overall voting results.
   "It shows that our community has faith in the board and the decisions we make," said Business Administrator Brian DeLucia.
   After weeks of school board meetings with little to almost no attendance by the public, Ms. Malouf said it was hard to gauge how residents would feel about the school’s 2006-2007 spending plan.
   "The feedback from parents was not to be worried, but you always do," Ms. Malouf said.
   Ms. Malouf said that after listening to the incumbents discuss their opinions and issues during Candidates Night on March 28, in which only three residents attended, it was clear that they are not only qualified to serve, but also dedicated to it.
   "When you listened to them, you could see that they have the best interest of the school at heart and that they are very conservative and mindful of the taxpayers and the people on fixed incomes," Ms. Malouf said.
   Ms. Malouf and school board members Adam Hawes and Joan Weidner, who were the only board members present when the polls closed at 9 p.m. said that because the incumbents were running unopposed, it showed them that residents are pleased with how the current board operates.
   "It shows there was no need for a contest," Ms. Malouf said. "They’re cognizant of what the community needs and they work as a unified team."
   Mr. Hawes agreed. "It’s a big congratulations to them," he said. "It lets us know the community is pleased with what we’re doing."
   Many of the voters on Tuesday agreed, including Ellen Yochelson of Main Street, who said she thinks it’s important to support the budget and continue providing quality education to students as the town continues to grow.
   "I have confidence in the people that write up the budget," Ms. Yochelson said. "And I know that the area is growing, but Cranbury has a reputation to uphold."
   Whether they currently have children or grandchildren in the school, or have once attended the school themselves, many voters said Tuesday that they value the education that the school and the teachers provide.
   "I think the teachers are well deserving of their raises and benefits. We’re extremely thrilled with the education at the Cranbury School and that’s why I’m here: to support the budget," said Sharon Pulz of Evans Drive.
   Suzanne Reiss, also of Evans Drive, said she feels it’s her duty to come out and support the schools.
   "The school makes the town a better place, so the increases are warranted," Ms. Reiss said.
   But not every resident would agree. Walter Perrine of Plainsboro Road said Cranbury has a wonderful school, but he thinks taxpayers are spending too much for it.
   Jackie Donney of Station Road, whose children once attended the school, agreed with Mr. Perrine, saying that the school tax is a burden on the taxpayers.
   "There are a lot of older people that are on fixed incomes and have to move out of town because they can’t afford it," Ms. Donney said.
   Andy VanSiclen of Cranbury Neck Road said he attended the Cranbury School when he was younger and his children have graduated from the school as well. Mr. VanSiclen said he thinks the board members make wise decisions when it comes to how the taxpayer’s money is spent.
   "Since I’ve graduated the school has grown quite a bit," Mr. VanSiclen said. "But I think the education keeps getting better. The spending is as fair as it can be."