School board approves election move to November
Written by Ann Richardson Tuesday, 14 February 2012 03:55
Voters have no say on budget unless increase is more than 2 percent
PETERSBURG – The Upper Township school board approved a resolution on Wednesday, Feb. 8 to move annual school elections from April to the general election in November, but the news was not warmly received by the public.
Combining the school election with state, federal and municipal government elections in November means Upper Township taxpayers will save $15,022.79, but that good news has a flip side for voters. If the budget approved by the school board stays within the state-mandated two percent cap, it will not have to go before voters for approval.
Opponents of the move said the school board shouldn’t approve any change that takes away a resident’s right to vote.
“I feel this is a big discouragement, to get people not to participate,” said resident Bill Fosbenner, adding that he supported the recently failed referendum. “The people that care, come to vote.”
Resident Russ Morano said he was happy to streamline the election process but he was disappointed that legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 16 permitting the money-saving change came with a caveat.
“I’m kind of disappointed with the governor,” said Morano, adding that he liked most of what Christie stood for and had proposed. “I have no problem with moving the election but the problem comes with the public deprived of the freedom to vote.”
Board member Steve Martinelli cast the lone dissenting vote as the resolution was approved 8-1.
Morano pointed out that the district had “banked” $442,006 from last year’s $21.9 million budget, which failed despite the fact that it represented a zero increase for taxpayers. In fact, the district gave back $50,000.
A two percent increase this year means about a $438,560 increase is permitted. Including the banked money, the 2012-13 school budget could go up $880,566 before township residents had a vote, said Morano.
“So you can go to four percent?” Morano asked during public comment before the board voted.
After questioning by board member Jill Casaccio, board solicitor William Donio confirmed that Morano was correct. “A vote in the affirmative,” for the resolution means that “there shall not be a vote on the general tax levy unless the budget exceeds two percent,” he said.
Morano asked it the cost of health insurance and pension for the school staff was considered outside of the cap. Donio said it was.
Donio noted that a budget must first be approved by the school board and then Cape May County’s executive superintendent.
“When you speak about banked cap you are speaking about banked spending authority,” he said.
The funding that was “banked,” he said, was not money that was proposed and turned down. Rather, it was scrutinized at the county level and not used. The district could opt to use it and it would not affect the cap, said Donio.
“The state advised us to hold that aside and use it for next year’s budget,” said board member Fran Newman, adding that the cap was allowed because state officials said they were not sure how much state aid would be forthcoming in the future.
Board member Jim Arsenault, an attorney who works for Cape May County, said under the language adopted by the state legislature, the banked funding “can be rolled forward,” thus providing for the possibility of a four percent increase.
“It has to get five votes here and be approved by the executive county superintendent,” he said.
Donio reminded board members and the public that it would also have to come before the public for review in the form of a public hearing.
“That’s important to remember,” he said.
Resident Ted Kingston said the potential four percent increase this year was wrong.
“It all comes down to credibility,” he said.
When budgets fail and they go before the township committee, elected officials still fail to do the right thing, he said. They don’t cut enough, according to Kingston.
“It’s just not right. At what point does the outcome of an election count? I understand the demands of the schools but at some point the outcome of an election has to count,” he said.
School board president Michele Barbieri, who also serves as one of three voting representatives to the Ocean City school board, asked how keeping elections in April could affect their status with Ocean City.
Last month, the Ocean City school board approved moving their school elections to November, though the Upper school board members were not permitted to vote.
“How would it impact the sending/receiving relationship?” Barbieri asked.
Donio said the relationship was “unique” in that with three voting members, Upper Township had more representation than most school boards in a sending/receiving relationship. Upper Township also has the lion’s share of students at Ocean City High School, he said.
“It does breed a level of complexity,” he said. “My concern is this is brand new and there is an opportunity for the receiving board to not seat or not recognize new board members.”
Ocean City’s new board members would be seated in January, after the November election. If Upper stayed with the status quo, it would elect new board members in April and seat them at the next board meeting, said Donio.
“The boards would be seated at different times,” he said. At best, there would be confusion.
“Most, but not all, boards would work together to avoid this,” he said. “It’s not insurmountable and it could be dealt with, but it must be addressed by the other school board. You have all worked well together but it does create the possibility for complexity and confusion.”
School business administrator Laurie Ryan said three seats on the school board would be voted on in November. Incumbents will serve until November rather than April. The budget process will move forward as scheduled. The school district’s fiscal year will not change.
“We have to be ready for the following school year,” she said.
The school board cannot reverse the decision for four election cycles.
Officials said that a school budget will be proposed in March and approved by the board after a public hearing. With the move to November elections, voters would have a say only if the amount to be raised by taxes goes above the two percent mandated cap.
Ryan said the district had numerous pressing facility needs. With the recently failed referendum, funding would have to be found in the budget to repair school roofs and HVAC systems and other items deemed to be a threat to the health and safety of the students.
“Realistically we are trying to address the facility needs, we’re trying to see what we can get done,” she said.
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