The Marlboro K-8 School District Board of Education’s proposed tax levy for the 2012-13 school year was approved by voters in the April 17 election. The tax levy was passed by a count of 1,210 yes votes to 766 no votes.
The district’s $83.8 million budget for the upcoming school year will be backed by a $62 million general fund tax levy. Residents voted on the general fund tax levy in the recent election.
Marlboro’s 2012-13 K-8 school tax rate will fall from 98 cents to 95.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, according to the district. That means the owner of a home that is assessed at the township average of $480,399 will pay about $4,586 in K-8 school taxes in the upcoming year, down from about $4,707 in K-8 school taxes 2011-12.
Residents also voted an incumbent and two newcomers to three-year terms on the school board. The election results remained unofficial as of April 20. The results will become official when they are certified by Monmouth County.
Marlboro Superintendent of Schools David Abbott said he is pleased that residents voted in favor of the budget. He said the budget provides the district with the tools to prepare its students, teachers and classrooms for the future.
“This budget will allow us to address the demanding need for the increased use of technology in teaching, learning and assessment,” Abbott said. “… I am very thankful to the people who took the time to come out and weigh in on this very important budget vote, as well as the selection of the citizens who will serve on the board.”
Incumbents BonnieSue Rosenwald and Paula Fasciano, along with John Dwyer, Barry Hochberg, Jian Kao, Debbie Mattos and Vincent Valinoti sought the three open seats on the board.
Kao, Dwyer and Rosenwald were the winners. Kao received 998 votes; Dwyer, 852; and Rosenwald, 740.
Falling short in their bid for a seat on the board, Mattos received 727 votes, Fasciano, 702; Hochberg, 538; and Valinoti, 398.
The board’s reorganization meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. May 1.
— Jack Murtha