Budget must now conform to maximum 2 percent tax levy increase; candidates will be elected in November
Hillsborough’s school board opted Monday night to drop the April election for members and the tax levy.
The public has always voted on the school tax levy, but last year state government gave school boards the option to drop the vote. Most school boards changed, but Hillsborough kept the spring election. Only 7 percent of the electorate turned out.
With Monday’s vote, it becomes the last municipality in Somerset County to move away from the April vote.
By a vote of 6-2, the board chose to drop the yes-or-no on the amount of money raised by local taxes to support the school budget. It will now draft a budget that raises the tax levy by no more than two percent.
The three members whose terms end this year — Thomas Kinst, Greg Gillette and Thuy Anh Le — will now serve through the remainder of 2013. They could run for new terms on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Board President Thomas Kinst and Vice President Judith Haas voted to keep the April vote. Dana Boguszewski, Deena Centofanti, Greg Gillette, Christopher Pulsifer, Lorraine Soisson and Ms. Le voted for the change.
Those who voted for the change cited the fact that taxpayers don’t vote directly on all other budgets except the fire district that comprise the property tax rate, but relay on their elected representatives. There will be a small budget savings of perhaps $20,000-$25,000 with no April elections.
Candidates for school board will appear on the fall ballot separate from the partisan elections. Nominating petitions will be due in late summer, at a date to be determined.
November elections for school board candidates will be in effect for the next four years, at least.