Millstone school budget ready for round two
Mayor: Committee unlikely to accept $31.8M spending plan
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Once again, township voters defeated the school budget.

Those who cast ballots in the April 15 Board of Education election turned down the $25million tax levy in support of the budget in a vote of 542-478. Voters also defeated a second question for $225,000 for building maintenance in a vote of 541-463.

The Millstone Township School District had proposed a $31.8 million budget for the 2008-09 school year. The budget included a 3.3 percent increase over last year, which would have increased the tax rate 1.8 cents.

Last year, voters turned down the school district's proposed $30.3million budget and additional funding for kindergarten, a technology teacher and books. After reviewing the spending plan and the three additional failed questions, the Township Committee voted in May to restore the proposed budget and two of the three failed questions.

As a result of this year's election, the governing body will again have to review the school district's budget. However, new state regulations will prevent the committee from reconsidering the second ballot question.

MayorNancy Grbelja said it is unfortunate that the budget fails with voters year after year.

"Last year the school budget went up tremendously in order to accommodate the opening of the new school," she said. "However, parents were still asked to pay additional costs for their child's participation in after school activities and sports programs. This did not sit well with many residents."

Grbelja said that it would be highly unlikely for the Township Committee to restore the proposed budget this year.

"Last year was unique in that a new school needed to open, that is not the case this year," she said. Superintendent of SchoolsMaryAnne Donahue said the failure of the budget is disappointing since the district has one of the lowest per pupil costs in the county and spends significantly less than other schools in its District Factor Group.

"I would like to think the voters defeated the budget because they don't want to see taxes raised by any amount," she said. "We will work with the Board of Education and the Executive County Superintendent to make whatever cuts are needed."

She said programs and staff would be affected by any cuts made.

Three candidates ran unopposed in the election for four available seats on the Board of Education. Holly Dietz, who ran for a second three-year term, received 581 votes. Kevin McGovern, who was appointed to the board last year, received 625 votes for a two-year term.Newcomer BradleyWinfree received 564 votes.

The board has another three-year seat available for which no one filed to run. There were many write-in votes for the seat. Former board member Sami Qutub received seven votes, the highest number, which makes him eligible for the open seat.

Qutub said he would "probably not" accept the seat. Ramon recalde received five votes for the seat. Janet Byrne received four votes, Christine Looney and Peter Kudrick both received three votes and MaryAnn Friedman,Nick Gold, RichardAnnarone, Cory Wingerter and Christine Alves each received two votes for the open seat.

According to the Business Administrator, if Qutub does not accept the seat the board would have 65 days to fill the vacancy.