MONROE — A school budget for the 2003-04 passed Tuesday by about 500 votes.
Residents supported the plan, which carries a 13-cent tax rate increase, by a vote of 3,050 to 2,516.
"I’m very, very pleased with the outcome," said Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie. "Our enrollment is growing, and we’re very appreciative of the support."
The tax rate of $1.63 means the owner of property assessed at $150,000 will pay $2,455 in school taxes next year — an increase of $195 over what that resident currently pays.
The $54.3 million budget, which is up nearly $6 million from the current school year, includes the creation of 41 new staff positions, including teachers at all levels throughout the K-12 district. The teachers are needed because student enrollment has met and even exceeded the growth projections of 350 additional students per year, officials have said. Those positions include eight special education teachers to help the district deal with federal mandates on special instruction.
Also driving up the budget is the cost of leasing and installing 16 trailers that will be used as classrooms at the Applegarth Middle School, the Brookside Elementary School and Monroe Township High School. The total cost of the trailers is $1.7 million.
Board of Education candidates Harold Pollack, John Leary and incumbent Marvin Braverman were all elected to three-year terms.
Resident Tracey Spennato, who earlier this month announced she was running as a write-in candidate, received 932 votes. It was not enough to win Spennato a term, however, as Braverman, Leary and Pollack received 3,419, 3,223 and 2,980 votes, respectively.
About 24 percent of registered voters participated in the election.
"I congratulate all the candidates," said Spennato, who previously said her candidacy resulted from her disappointment with the views expressed by Pollack during a candidates’ night forum.
"I was really impressed with the public, and hope that this (voter turnout and budget approval) sends a clear message to the town that Monroe is really concerned about the welfare of its children," she said.
Spennato said she was extremely pleased to see the budget pass and wanted to thank everyone who came out to support it.
Leary also said he was "pleasantly surprised" at the turnout and support.
"I’m looking forward to working with the board, Dr. Ferrie, and (Board President) Joe Homoki, and really working for the people," Leary said.