Mountainside School Budget Passes for 2011-12

Educators and many community members alike had reason to celebrate Wednesday evening, as the Mountainside Board of Education’s 2011-12 budget proposal was approved by the voters.

The budget, which passed with 591 votes in favor over 395 votes against, seemed to have been generally well-received by Mountainside residents as they took to the polls throughout the afternoon.

“I do support the school budget because I know that teaching is the most important thing we have to make sure our children grow up to be educated and smart and know what’s going on in the world,” said Mountainside resident Susan Teller. “Anything that would impinge on that and being able to get the most of what we can provide for education would be a shame, so I support the budget.”

“I believe, for the most part, that people who make up the budget know what they’re doing,” continued Teller. “Most of the budget is mandatory expenditures, and I don’t believe anything is gained by voting it down.”

District Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Baubles was thankful that the budget passed, helping the district avoid a crisis that could have ensued if the public majority decided against the proposal.

“We are absolutely elated that the 2011-2012 budget passed, and we just want to sincerely thank every voter who came out today in support of the budget,” said Baubles.

“It was a difficult budget for people to consider, and we’re just pleased that a majority of the people supported the district,” added School Business Administrator Daniel Saragnese. “That’s a really good thing.”

The district will now look ahead to the 2011-12 school year having also filled three vacant Board of Education positions with Wednesday night’s election. Incumbent Cathy Jakositz led all three-year term candidates with 582 votes, which was just seven votes more than newcomer Dante Gioia received (575) to take the second three-year seat. Both candidates beat out incumbent Maureen Hess, who received 418 total votes.

Both Jakositz and Gioia preached board transparency on a variety of issues as one of their top goals over the next three years. Both feel that a Board of Education that opens its doors to the public will aid community relations.

“Transparency, transparency, transparency, no surprises, and open communication between the board and the public (are important),” said Jakositz. “I’ve been working and have been fighting for that for so long, and with the newer incumbents from last year, and, I’m sure, with Mr. Gioia, it’s going to be a beautiful thing. The more the community’s informed can only help the community.”

Added Gioia, “We need to look at a little fiscal prudence and be a little more transparent about the issues we have and the solutions we have for it, and we can’t wait for problems to become large problems. We have to tackle them quickly.”

Chief among potential problems for Gioia are climbing tax rates and increasing class sizes throughout the district.

“We need to look at our numbers,” said Gioia. “There have been raised taxes for years, the school sizes have been going up, so we need to figure a way to balance that in the most efficient manner.”

Incumbent Board of Education member Carolyn Williams also retained a seat on the board by defeating Jeane Parker for a one-year term by a margin of just ten votes. Williams had 457 total votes to Parker’s 447.

Williams sees several issues that the board currently faces as going in a positive direction, and is happy to have the opportunity to continue to address those issues.

“We’re right in the middle of negotiations (with the teachers). I’m on the negotiations committee, so we’ll look forward to closing that chapter with the teachers’ union,” said Williams. "(We will be) looking ahead to even next year’s budget, knowing now, with a tight budget, how closely we have to watch that.”

Dr. Baubles is confident that all Board of Education members will have a chance to contribute as they work together to improve the school district for all involved.

“I think any time you have incumbents, it’s a matter of making sure that we attend to those who are not incumbents,” said Baubles. “We want to make sure that Mr. Gioia is as comfortable as possible in his transition to the Board of Education in his roles and responsibilities,”