Security Question Passes with Slim Majority

Chatham voters voted to approve the proposed 2013-14 base budget and two extra questions in Tuesday's elections.

The question of security enhancements passed with the slimmest majority of all questions on the ballot, which passed by only 83 votes overall.

In Chatham Borough, the second question for enhancing security in Chatham schools failed by 35 votes. in Chatham Township, the question passed by 118 votes. The final vote was 1,292 to 1,209.

The question of whether to pay for counseling enhancements passed by a wider majority, with 1,401 voters approving it at 1,105 voters casting ballots against it. In Chatham Township, the question passed by 218 votes. In Chatham Borough it passed by 78 votes.

The tax impact for the 2013-14 school year will be greater in Chatham Township.

Borough residents voted to keep Phil Franz in as a member of the Board of Education. Franz garnered 179 votes more than Ed DiFiglia, the challenger.

Incumbents John Nonnenmacher and Matt Gilfillan will each keep their seats on the Board of Education representing Chatham Township.

Since the Chatham Borough and Chatham Township school districts merged in 1988, the budget has never failed to pass a public vote.

Business Administrator Peter Daquila said, "The support that the residents have for their school system is overwhelming." Superintendent Michael LaSusa said he was grateful the community once again passed the budget and the two extra questions.

Until 2011 second questions needed a super-majority, or 60 percent, of voter approval to pass. When Gov. Chris Christie instituted a mandatory two percent tax cap, the law included a provision that rescinded the super-majority requirement and instead required a simple majority, 50 percent plus one of votes cast, for second questions to pass.

Voter turnout was highest in the district in 2008, when 37 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. The budget passed that year by 60 percent. A second question on the ballot that year failed with 56 percent of the vote when 60 percent was needed to pass.

The highest year of mail-in voters was in 2009, when there were 160 mail-in ballots cast. That year the budget past with 71 percent. Voter turnout that year was 24 percent.

The closest election was the April 2003 election, which had 50.13 yes votes out of a voter turnout of 21 percent. The yes margin was three votes. The next year, Education Counts was formed.