Residents gave their approval of $179,386,921 million 2013-14 budget Tuesday by a vote of 2,318 to 1,446.
The budget approval means that taxpayers will see a 2.91 tax levy increase, represents an average tax rate increase between $270 and $280.
Incumbent Jeffrey Egan (1,604 votes) was ousted by newcomer James Tampellini (1,654 votes). Steve Hartman (1,773 votes), also new to the board, was elected for a three-year term on the Board of Education starting July 1, 2013. Jarett Behar received 1,526 votes.
Proposition two, which would have increased the number of board of education members from five to seven, failed by a vote of 1,605 to 2,193, which means there will be no special election this summer.
The largest increases in the budget are due to skyrocketing teacher pension costs, which are rising by about 40 percent next year, as well as contractual obligations including increased salaries and benefits.
Class sizes will remain around the current level and added security will also be seen in the school buildings. New next school year will be the addition of technology such as e-tablets, video conferencing and iPads, which were all grant funded.
Still, some cuts exist. To meet required costs and adjust to lower enrollment, about $3 million in reductions were made from the current spending plan.
Some of those reductions include fewer buses for declining enrollment, the elimination of an elementary lead teacher stipend for arts, a reduction in library monitor and one full-time librarian, the reduction of two full-time nurses, the elimination of five full-time custodians and four clerical staff members. Other reductions include a mental health professional position and consolidation of under-enrolled teams.
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