School Elections: Manasquan Budget Passes

Voters in Manasquan approved a school budget with an average increase of $71.50 for the year.

The vote was 678 to 496. The results are unofficial and absentee ballots need to be counted.

Despite a 1.43 cent increase, Manasquan will lose two classroom teachers, a high school supervisor and a part-time technician. In addition, a proposed Manasquan Elementary School supervisor position and a proposed part-time special education teacher position will not be hired. Half of the planned field trips, general supplies and out of district professional development were also among the cuts made to keep the budget beneath a state-mandated two-percent increase cap. 

The $25,865,567 total proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year is $547,900 more than the previous year. That increase includes an additional $227,823 in state aid and $229,426 from taxes with the remainder raised by grants, shared services, extraordinary aid and maintenance and tuition reserves.

The budget includes the cost of new K-5 science textbooks, new high school textbooks and maintains the Gifted and Talented, Honors and AP programs as well as co-curricular and athletic programs.

The budget proposal comes in a time of financial turmoil for the state of New Jersey, as districts statewide deal with the rising cost of salaries and benefits and a significant cut to state aid.

The state aid pinch has been felt in Manasquan. The district lost over $1 million in aid for the current 2010-2011 school year. In February, the state Department of Education announced aid figures that included $227,823 from Manasquan. Though the figure represents only a fraction of what the district received for the 2009-2010 school year, the funds allowed Manasquan to save one full-time teaching job which was proposed to be eliminated.

In addition to the budget question, voters will be asked to elect three people to the Board of Education. 

Sitting board members Christine Haley and Cynthia O'Connell, who have served since 2006 and 2005, respectively, will not seek re-election.

Linda DiPalma of Virginia Avenue, who is finishing her first term on the board, will run against Donna Bossone of North Main Street, John Campbell of Old Squan Road, Michelle LaSala of Parker Avenue and Kristine Shea of Parker Avenue.

In March, candidates were sent an identical set of questions by mail to the address on their official candidate filing. To read their responses, click here.