Budget approval pleases Marlboro superintendent

BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO – Residents voted to approve a $61 million tax levy to support an $82.9 million budget for the 2008-09 school year and returned three incumbents to the Marlboro Board of Education in the April 15 school election.

According to unofficial totals provided by the school district, the tax levy to support the budget was approved by a count of 1,487 yes votes to 1,364 no votes, a 123-vote margin of victory.

Voters returned Cynthia Green (1,545 votes), Terry Spilken (1,489 votes) and Murray Hoffman (1,367 votes) to the school board to begin serving three-year terms. Elizabeth Garrity (972 votes) and Edwin Madari (876 votes) were unsuccessful in their bids to win a seat on the board which oversees the operation of the Marlboro K-8 School District.

After the results were in and the tax levy had been approved, Superintendent of Schools David Abbott expressed his thanks to the Marlboro residents who went out and voted on April 15. Abbott called the low number of voters who ventured out to the polls disappointing.

The superintendent said it is always a relief when a budget receives approval from voters. He said district administrators can now move forward and finish the 2007-08 school year while preparing for 2008-09. Projects to be completed with budget funds can soon begin, as well as the hiring of new staff.

The voters’ approval of the $61 million tax levy that appeared on theApril 15 ballot means that the school budget does not have to be reviewed by the Marlboro Township Council for a possible reduction in 2008-09 school year spending.

Abbott also congratulated the three incumbent board members who were re-elected to their seats. He said the incumbents have proven themselves and show their dedication every week to the growth and education of Marlboro’s children.

Beginning in July (the budget runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), the spending plan will offer new textbooks, additional instructors and improvements throughout the district’s eight schools.

Plans include replacing student lockers at the Marlboro Middle School, Route 520. The middle school will also see a refurbishment in the mini theater, the installation of cable wiring in all rooms, a redesign of the boys and girls locker rooms to create additional educational space and the installation of a security lobby.

The gymnasium lights at the Asher Holmes and Dugan schools will be replaced. Those schools and the Robertsville and Marlboro Elementary schools can also expect to see a refinishing of gym floors and the replacement of backup generators. Marlboro Elementary School will also have a partial repair/replacement of its roof.

As a result of the approval of the tax levy, Marlboro’s K-8 school tax rate will rise from $2.04 to $2.07 per $100 of assessed valuations. The increase means that the owner of a home assessed at the township’s average assessment of $224,000 will pay about $4,643 in K-8 school taxes in 2008-09, up from $4,576 during $2007-08.

The owner of a home assessed at $400,000 will pay about $8,292 in K-8 school taxes in 2008-09, up from $8,172 in 2007-08. The owner of a home assessed at $600,000 will pay about $12,438 in K-8 school taxes in 2008-09, up from $12,258 in 2007-08.

Residents did not vote on the district’s debt service tax levy of $3.98 million for 2008-09.

K-8 school taxes are one part of the overall property tax bill, which also includes municipal taxes, Monmouth County taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes and other assessments.