Mat-Ab voters reject fourth straight budget
BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District school budget failed once again.
Township and borough voters rejected the proposed $56.8 million budget, which would have carried a $43 million local tax levy, by 379 votes.
"We're deeply disappointed," Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinn said.
Aberdeen residents voted 980 to 776 against the budget. Matawan residents voted 539 to 364 against it. The total numbers of votes was 1,140 in favor and 1,519 against.
A total of 1,782 ballots were cast in Aberdeen, where there are 10,675 registered voters. The voter turnout was just under 17 percent. Matawan had slightly more than a 17 percent voter turnout, with 902 of the 5,198 registered voters casting ballots.
This is the district's fourth consecutive defeated budget.
The budget would have raised taxes 17 cents per $100 assessed property value for Aberdeen residents and 8.7 cents for Matawan residents, Business Administrator Laura Ventor said.
Quinn said that district officials thought this year's budget would pass due to the lower tax rate increase proposed compared to last year.
This year's budget included an increase in pre-kindergarten sessions and a new pre-K program in the Cliffwood Avenue and Ravine Drive schools, more high school teachers, and an additional guidance counselor at the middle school.
The budget also included new teachers for the elementary schools that are going through the reorganization process, and improvements to the elementary language arts/reading program. New extracurricular sports at the high school, such as golf and bowling, were also budgeted for.
Newly re-elected board member Jan Rubino said that she is disappointed that the public didn't understand what went into the budget, and how important it is to pass it.
The defeated budget will now go to the Aberdeen and Matawan councils, who will be responsible for setting the new school tax rate. Once the new tax rate is set, the school district must go through the budget and make appropriate cuts in order to financially meet the new tax rate. The district also has the option to file an appeal to the state.
According to a packet of information given to the public by the board, the average amount of money cut by the governing bodies is between $400,000 and $800,000, which results in a 2- to 3-cent reduction in the tax rate.
"I hope we can work with the councils to expedite a solution as soon as possible," said Ken Aitken, who won a seat on the board.
Quinn said that the district has already opened up dialogue with one of the councils, but declined to say which one. He also said it is unclear at this time if the district will meet with the two councils together or separately, as they have done for the past two years.
Quinn said the district hopes to work with the councils and come up with a solution that will provide tax relief for residents. He said he expects more dialogue with the two councils to take place this week.
Along with the budget, voters also defeated two additional questions on the ballot asking for additional general funds for lighting and security at many of the schools, and for computers and technology equipment.
"Now we're really precluded in going forward with those things during the next fiscal year," Quinn said.
The district asked voters to approve $255,000 for general funds for computer and technology equipment. The total number of votes between the two municipalities for this question was 1,158 in support and 1,514 against.
The second question was for the approval of $450,00 for general funds to purchase lighting and security upgrades for the majority of the schools in the district. Voters defeated this 1,566 to 1,104.
Quinn said he was surprised voters defeated the security and lighting question. He said he thought the voters would recognize the need for that in light of past events that have occurred in the district.
But not everyone saw the issue that way.
"I find it preposterous that Aberdeen Township school leadership can ask for $705,000 in security, lighting and educational equipment when they built planters and useless columns in front of the high school, which serves no building or educational purpose," Aberdeen resident Joseph McAleer said.
Quinn said he feels the voters are sending the district a message regarding property tax.
The board was expected to meet Monday night for a reorganization meeting at which time they will swear in the new board members, reorganize committees, and vote on a board president and vice president.
BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District school budget failed once again.
Township and borough voters rejected the proposed $56.8 million budget, which would have carried a $43 million local tax levy, by 379 votes.
"We're deeply disappointed," Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinn said.
Aberdeen residents voted 980 to 776 against the budget. Matawan residents voted 539 to 364 against it. The total numbers of votes was 1,140 in favor and 1,519 against.
A total of 1,782 ballots were cast in Aberdeen, where there are 10,675 registered voters. The voter turnout was just under 17 percent. Matawan had slightly more than a 17 percent voter turnout, with 902 of the 5,198 registered voters casting ballots.
This is the district's fourth consecutive defeated budget.
The budget would have raised taxes 17 cents per $100 assessed property value for Aberdeen residents and 8.7 cents for Matawan residents, Business Administrator Laura Ventor said.
Quinn said that district officials thought this year's budget would pass due to the lower tax rate increase proposed compared to last year.
This year's budget included an increase in pre-kindergarten sessions and a new pre-K program in the Cliffwood Avenue and Ravine Drive schools, more high school teachers, and an additional guidance counselor at the middle school.
The budget also included new teachers for the elementary schools that are going through the reorganization process, and improvements to the elementary language arts/reading program. New extracurricular sports at the high school, such as golf and bowling, were also budgeted for.
Newly re-elected board member Jan Rubino said that she is disappointed that the public didn't understand what went into the budget, and how important it is to pass it.
The defeated budget will now go to the Aberdeen and Matawan councils, who will be responsible for setting the new school tax rate. Once the new tax rate is set, the school district must go through the budget and make appropriate cuts in order to financially meet the new tax rate. The district also has the option to file an appeal to the state.
According to a packet of information given to the public by the board, the average amount of money cut by the governing bodies is between $400,000 and $800,000, which results in a 2- to 3-cent reduction in the tax rate.
"I hope we can work with the councils to expedite a solution as soon as possible," said Ken Aitken, who won a seat on the board.
Quinn said that the district has already opened up dialogue with one of the councils, but declined to say which one. He also said it is unclear at this time if the district will meet with the two councils together or separately, as they have done for the past two years.
Quinn said the district hopes to work with the councils and come up with a solution that will provide tax relief for residents. He said he expects more dialogue with the two councils to take place this week.
Along with the budget, voters also defeated two additional questions on the ballot asking for additional general funds for lighting and security at many of the schools, and for computers and technology equipment.
"Now we're really precluded in going forward with those things during the next fiscal year," Quinn said.
The district asked voters to approve $255,000 for general funds for computer and technology equipment. The total number of votes between the two municipalities for this question was 1,158 in support and 1,514 against.
The second question was for the approval of $450,00 for general funds to purchase lighting and security upgrades for the majority of the schools in the district. Voters defeated this 1,566 to 1,104.
Quinn said he was surprised voters defeated the security and lighting question. He said he thought the voters would recognize the need for that in light of past events that have occurred in the district.
But not everyone saw the issue that way.
"I find it preposterous that Aberdeen Township school leadership can ask for $705,000 in security, lighting and educational equipment when they built planters and useless columns in front of the high school, which serves no building or educational purpose," Aberdeen resident Joseph McAleer said.
Quinn said he feels the voters are sending the district a message regarding property tax.
The board was expected to meet Monday night for a reorganization meeting at which time they will swear in the new board members, reorganize committees, and vote on a board president and vice president.
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