Polls Are Busy All Over Town as Jefferson Votes in School Elections

Update 9:30 p.m.

We caught the last few stragglers coming in to vote at the Municipal Building tonight.

The Presti family, Frank (father), Rhonda and Frank (son) all voted against the budget.

"I think that teachers are overpaid," Frank the dad said. "They get two months off and every holiday you can think of."

"I know a lot about what goes on in the school," said Frank the son, who attends Morris Catholic High School and was voting for the first time. "I think they need to improve the school before we throw more money at it."

Bill and Denise O'Connor voted in favor of the budget.

"It's a flat budget, there's no reason not to vote for it," Bill O'Connor said. "And we need good schools to keep our property values up."

"We have three, soon to be four, kids in the district, and we want to support the kids," Denise O'Connor said.

"Anything for the kids," said Matt Van Wolput. "I believe in supporting education."

Update, 6:30 p.m.

Camp Jefferson came alive with voters during the post-workday rush. Many were willing to talk to Patch about their decision at the polls.

"I voted for the budget," said Bill Dobbins. "I am a teacher in Clifton, and I believe in education. We need to support it," he said. "There have already been so many cutbacks, and we just don't need any more."

After his initial excitement at being chosen to participate in an exit poll, Paul Zorn said he didn't vote for any of the candidates, since he's only lived in town since July and didn't really know them well enough.

"I voted yes for the budget," Zorn said. "They worked very hard to make this a flat budget, and I don't want to see any more cuts made if there doesn't have to be."

Dana Ferguson, a 1998 graduate of Jefferson High School, also voted in favor of the budget. 

I grew up in this town, and I believe we have to support it," she said.

The was bustling with voters at around 3 p.m. today, as voting for the school budget and school board members was in full swing.

Patch chatted with voters as they left the health center, and so far, people we’ve spoken with are in favor of the budget.

“I already graduated from Jefferson, and I voted for the budget,” said Cory Wall. “I had a lot of opportunities when I was in school, and I want the kids that are there now to have those same opportunities.”

Diane Hanson said she did it for the children as well.

“I voted for the budget because I have a bunch of grandchildren in the district, and I don’t want them to lose out on anything,” she said. “It’s a tough world, and these kids need all the preparation they can get. And that’s the main reason I voted.”

Julianne Buccino also voted in favor of the budget.

“I am a teacher and I voted yes,” she said. “I think it’s a responsible budget. I looked closely at the cuts they made.”

Krysia Dour agreed.

“I voted in favor of the budget, mostly because there is no tax increase,” she said. “I think the money is being spent intelligently, and there is nothing regrettable in this budget. I think it has a good chance of being passed.”

The Board of Education is proposing a $35 million budget that would not increase the tax levy in the township. Three seats are open on the school board, with 11 candidates up for election. None of those are incumbents.  for a complete election guide.