Schools
A Chathamite's Guide to 2013 School Elections
What's in the budget, who you can vote for and where you can vote.
Chatham residents are among those in 41 school districts who will go to the polls on April 16 for the annual school elections. The 2013-14 school budget, two additional questions and four seats on the Board of Education are up for a vote. Before you head out to vote, here are some things you need to know:
When and where can I vote?
Polls open at 2 p.m. and remain open until 9 p.m. Chatham Borough residents who are registered to vote may do so at Chatham Middle School. Chatham Township residents may do so at Chatham High School.
What Am I Voting On?
The district has proposed a base budget of $65,131,111 for the 2013-14 school year, $55,409,234, or 85 percent of which, will be raised through local taxes. Voters can vote for or against this budget.
Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The state allows for up to a 2 percent tax increase, with larger exemptions for uncontrollable expenses such as health care, pensions or increasing student enrollment. The maximum allowable tax levy increase for the School district of the Chathams is 4.13 percent for the 2013-14 school year.
The 2012-13 tax levy was $54,005,100 out of a $60,943,789 budget. The increase for this year is $1,404,134. For the average homeowner in Chatham Borough with a house assessed at $660,327, the annual tax increase would be $159.40 per year or $13.28 per month. For the average homeowner in Chatham Township with a house assessed at $754,398, the annual increase would be $244.13 or $20.34 per month.
Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
What is included in the budget?
The budget includes $827,475 of banked cap, that is, taxing authority the district opted not to use from the past three years. By not taxing the maximum amount, the district can save that money to tax for future needs without a second question.
Included in the budget are six new staff members to teach math, science, social studies, English, Chinese and art, and funds to support clubs, athletics and intramural programs.
At the same time, the district projects a net decrease of two teachers in their K-3 schools.
The budget also calls for $3 million to be taken from the capital reserve for the following projects:
- to repave the front circle driveway at Chatham High School,
- to repave the driveway entrance and additional parking lot at Washington Avenue School,
- to remove carpet and replace it with tile at Milton Avenue School
- and to build additional classrooms at Chatham High.
Superintendent Michael LaSusa said the district will follow "a bid process that calls for a project of four classrooms with an 'Option A' for three additional classrooms (at Chatham High School.)" This will allow the district to build seven classrooms if they receive a bid that can do it within budget.
What about the additional questions?
There are two additional questions to this vote, each for under $250,000.
The first question, to Enhance Counseling Staff, will cost $240,000, or an additional 0.44 percent, to the tax levy. It will add two full time counselors, one at Chatham High School and one at the elementary school level. Currently Washington Avenue School and Milton Avenue School share a counselor. The question will also include a student assistant counselor at Chatham Middle School.
If this question alone passes along with the base budget, it will bring the tax levy increase to 3.04 percent. This would bring the average increase for a homeowner in Chatham Borough to $15.98 monthly or $191.76 annually. In Chatham Township, the increase would be $23.25 monthly or $279.03 annually.
The second question to enhance school security and safety will cost $225,000, or an additional 0.42 percent to the tax levy. It will include an assessment of and upgrades to facilities, building monitors at every school in the district and a Coordinator of Safety and Security.
If this question alone passes along with the base budget, it will bring the tax levy increase to 3.02 percent. This would bring the average increase for homeowners in Chatham Borough to $15.81 monthly or $189.74 annually, and in Chatham Township the monthly increase would be $23.07 and the annual increase would be $276.85.
If both these questions pass, the tax levy increase will go up to 3.46 percent. In Chatham Borough, the monthly increase would be $18.51 and the annual increase would be $222.09. In Chatham Township, the monthly increase would be $25.98 or $311.75 annually.
The chart below illustrates the increases at 2.6, 3.04, 3.02, 3.46 and 4.13 percents.
2012-13 Budget Proposed 2013-14 Budget Proposed 2013-14 Budget with Question No. 1Proposed 2013-14 Budget with Question No. 2
Proposed 2013-14 Budget with Question No. 1 and 2
Proposed 2013-14 Budget with Maximum Allowable Tax Levy Increase
Tax Increase (%) 2.30 2.60 3.04 3.02 3.46 4.13 Local Tax Levy ($) $54,005,100 $55,409,234 $55,649,234 $55,634,234 $55,874,234 $56,236,709 Chatham Borough - Average House Assessment: $660,327 Average Monthly Tax Increase N/A $13.28 $15.98 $15.81 $18.51 $22.58 Average Annual Tax Increase N/A $159.40 $191.76 $189.74 $222.09 $270.97 Chatham Township - Average House Assessment: $754,398
Average Monthly Tax Increase N/A $20.34 $23.25 $23.08 $25.98 $30.37 Average Annual Tax Increase N/A $244.13 $279.03 $276.85 $311.75 $364.45
Whom can I vote for?
Four seats are up for election, each for a three-year term.
In Chatham Borough, interim Phil Franz, who was appointed to complete Stephen Barna's term, is running to keep the seat for another full term. He is challenged by Ed DiFiglia. This is Franz's first time holding public office, and if DiFiglia wins, it will be his first term in public office as well. Only one seat is available representing the borough.
In Chatham Township, John Nonnenmacher and Matt Gilfillan are both running for the Board of Education. There are two seats available representing the township, and the two are unopposed for those seats.
How does Chatham compare to the rest of the state?
Throughout the state, 501 school districts changed their elections to November after Gov. Chris Christie signed a law that exempted school budgets from public vote if they moved school elections to November, as long as the local tax levy increase was under two percent.
Voters throughout the state will select among 163 candidates to fill 119 vacant seats on Boards of Education.
The average per-pupil cost to the School District of the Chathams is $12,019. Their average SAT score is 1748. Neighboring K-12 districts spend up to $2,500 more per pupil and only Millburn, which has a per-pupil cost of $14,552, has a higher average SAT score.
The average K-12 school district in New Jersey with a population of 3,500 or more is $13,917.
Results from the election are due at about 10 p.m. Tuesday. Check in with Chatham Patch for the full results.
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