UFRSD budget narrowly passes in recent election Shaw, Stampe and Trent win re-election BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer UPPER FREEHOLD - Although the vote wasn't a landslide, it was nonetheless a victory for the Upper Freehold Regional School District. Voters passed the school district's $31.5 million budget in the April 15 election in a vote of 359-340. Those who cast affirmative ballots voted to impose a tax levy of $16.9 million in support of the budget. As a result of the election, the Allentown tax rate will rise by 13 cents and the Upper Freehold tax rate by .006 cents per $100 of assessed value. An Allentown resident with a home assessed at the borough's average of $153,300 will pay a tax increase of $200 and an Upper Freehold resident with a home assessed at the township's average of $526,400 can expect a $31.58 increase. Board of Education President Joseph Stampe said he is very thankful that the community supported the budget. "Neighboring towns like Millstone, Robbinsville and Hamilton all had their budgets defeated," he said. "I am grateful to everyone who attended an information session and came out to vote." Stampe said he believes the budget passed because the spending plan focuses on achieving district goals. "Our budget has, and will continue to focus on improving the education for all of our students," he said. The budget funds new teachers and books, enhances curriculum at every level and provides staff development. The plan will also help the district expand its inclusive pre-k program as well as add three trailers to ease overcrowding in the elementary/ middle school, according to Stampe. Stampe won reelection to the board in the uncontested election along with the other Upper Freehold incumbent Christopher Shaw and the Allentown incumbent Elizabeth Trent. Stampe earned the most votes in the election with 330. Shaw won 329 and Trent garnered 127. The winners will serve three-year terms. The board will reorganize at 7 p.m. on April 30 in the board office. Stampe said he is honored to have a chance to serve the community for another term. "I believe our district has made great progress in the past two years and I hope that we can continue working together to improve the district for the students, teachers, staff and community," he said. "We have a wonderful administrative team in place, under the leadership of Dr. [Dick] Fitzpatrick. I look forward to working with him and the entire community to improving our schools." Stampe said the board will meet in June to set board and district goals. "Personally, I think the board needs to continue focusing on improving curriculum and instruction for grades pre-k-12," he said. "We also need to set policy for improving the health and safety of our students. Obviously, however, in the next few weeks we will be breaking ground on our new middle school and opening the school in September 2010. Even after the project is underway, the board must stay focused on the project to deliver it on time and within budget." Shaw said he appreciates the continued support he has received from all parts of the community and looks forward to serving another three years. "We have made huge strides from where we were at the beginning of my last term and I look forward to the challenge," he said. "We have a great administrative team." For Shaw, the primary goal is getting the middle school open. He said the board has a number of other issues it would also like to address including continuing to improve and monitor test scores and curriculum expectations and structure, looking at how the average high school student is being educated, setting the bar on hiring, ensuring student safety and staff retention, addressing space needs, training staff, examining non-teaching salaries and updating board policies and procedures. Shaw said the board works hard to service both the community and the kids. "We put a good budget together and received strong support from a majority of the community," he said. "We had a majority in District 4 and 2, which included not only parents of kids but also Four Seasons residents who have been great supporters of the schools." He said area residents are fortunate to live in a community that values strong education, character and leadership. Trent could not be reached prior to press time for comment.