Voters headed to the polls on April 16 to decide school-related questions.
The Asbury Park Press reported that voters in Seaside Heights rejected a proposal to merge the borough’s elementary school with the Toms River Regional School District — although voters in Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River, which make up the regional district, approved the measure. Since Seaside Heights voters rejected it, however, the merger will not take place.
Several school districts had questions on the ballot. Below are the unofficial, uncertified results gathered from county clerks and from published reports.
Middlesex County
The New Brunswick Public Schools sought authorization to raise $37,113,400 for the general fund for the ensuing school year, 2024-2025. Voters approved the request.
Monroe Township School District had a question on the ballot that would raise an additional $2,769,586 for general funds for the ensuing school year (2024-2025). These taxes would be used exclusively for the retention of courtesy busing (per N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1 students who live less than two miles in grades K-8 and less than two-and-a-half miles for students in grades 9-12), after-school busing, athletic transportation, school-sponsored co-curricular/extracurricular activity expenditures and school-sponsored athletic supplies and materials. The separate proposal also includes the addition of one autism teacher, one autism paraprofessional, one ESL teacher, one ESL paraprofessional, one business teacher, one technology education teacher, one security officer, design of roof replacement at Mill Lake Elementary School, and phase two of the special services parking lot refurbishment. Approval of these taxes would result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
Voters narrowly approved raising the additional money, with 3,825 in favor and 3,601 against.
Sussex County
Byram Township School District had a question on the ballot that asked voters to approve raising $1.7 million as a permanent addition to the budget to help offset S-2 funding cuts made over the last several years. Here was the wording:
“RESOLVED that there shall be raised an additional $1,177,986 for General Funds beginning in the 2024-2025 School Year. These taxes will be used exclusively to pay for salaries and benefits of staff members in order to reduce and maintain class sizes by maintaining teaching staff members, and instructional aides as well as restoring four full-time teaching positions. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy. The proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve New Jersey Student Learning Standards.”
Voters rejected the request to raise the additional money.
Union County:
The Westfield School District sought to raise an additional $1,675,397 for general funds in the same school year (2024-2025). These taxes would be used exclusively for the retention of three elementary teachers, two intermediate teachers, two high school teachers, and health benefits for the seven current staff members. This proposal also includes the addition of one supervisor for the Special Services Department, one assistant buildings and grounds supervisor, two maintenance/groundskeepers, one high school teacher for additional electives, funding in the amount of $125,000 to enhance the stipends in the paraprofessional contract, three enrichment/intervention teachers at the elementary level, three part-time security guards for the schools, and health benefits for the eight additional staff members. Approval of these taxes would result in a permanent increase in the district’s tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
Voters approved the request for additional funds.