Schools
West Morris Regional Funding Change Will Go To Vote in 2016
School board approves ballot question at Monday meeting.
MENDHAM – Seven of the nine West Morris Regional High School Board of Education members gave the go-ahead on a referendum that, if approved, would drastically change how West Morris Central and Mendham high schools are funded.
Under current New Jersey law, public school districts are funded by property taxes, which are determined by a home’s value. That home’s value is also based on its own town’s assessment and correlating tax rate.
As of now, the West Morris Regional High School District is funded by the property taxes of residents in Washington Township, Mendham Township, Mendham, Borough, Chester Township, and Chester Borough, along with some state aid.
But a vote in November 2016 could change all of that.
By a 7-1 vote – Washington Township representative Joe Galayda dissented – the board approved Monday night to put a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot, stating:
“That the Board authorize the Business Administrator, in consultation with legal counsel, to develop referendum language, with approval by the Board at a future meeting, to be placed on the November 8, 2016 election ballot that addresses the modification of the regional school districts cost apportionment basis as described in 18A:13-34, to a 50% per pupil and a 50% equalization valuation.”
The measure came to a vote after a Funding Formula committee of board members was constructed earlier this year to study the idea, Business Administrator Doug Pechanec said.
In order for the referendum to pass in November, a majority of voters in each of the five towns that make up the regional school district would have to vote in favor. If the majority does vote to approve, the formula would be set in stone for 10 years.
While the motion was approved Monday night, ensuing votes are still needed on proper language on verbiage for the actual referendum question, Pechanec said. Those discussions will take place during 2016 board meetings.
What do you think of the referendum question? Would you vote to approve the referendum?
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