School Budgets Pass in Red Bank and Shrewsbury

There were some anxious moments, when the results just started trickling in and district officials weren’t sure if the voters would approve their meticulously crafted budget. It was a concern, especially after last year, when the budgets of more than 50 percent of the state’s school districts were voted down.

Any concerns were quickly allayed as Red Bank voters – the few that bothered to get to the polls – approved the district’s more than $19 million by a significant margin during board of education elections Wednesday.

Nearly 60 percent of borough voters approved the Red Bank School District budget 280 – 189. That’s 469 total votes. Red Bank has nearly 6,500 registered voters in its 1.75-square miles. Voters also approved the $6.9 million Shrewsbury School District 270 – 170.

Despite the poor turnout from Red Bank voters, district Superintendent Laura Morana was pleased that those who did vote, voted in favor of the school budget and its modest tax increase.

“We’re thrilled,” she said, standing outside of Red Bank’s council chambers following the reading of the results. “It is just another obstacle that we’re able to put aside. It’s not a budget we’re happy with, but we’ve done the best to maximize what we have. There’s no fluff in this budget.”

In Red Bank, three, three-year board of education seats were available as well as a two-year unexpired term. Incumbents Janet Jones and Pete Noble were reelected to three-year seats with 288 and 264 votes, respectively. The third, three-year seat went to newcomer Allen Palma, whose 253 votes ousted incumbent Ernest Anemone, who received 233 votes.

Sue Viscomi received 321 votes to claim the two-year seat in the district’s uncontested race.

“I’m very excited to serve my community and to be part of a board with a lot of great people,” Viscomi, who was appointed to the board in January, said.

Noble, elected to his fourth term on the board, said he was happy to serve the school district. As a board member, he said it’s critical to do all he can to help benefit Red Bank’s children.

The challenges facing the district are some of the same that have faced the district for years, not the least of which is money. He did credit the borough’s administration for doing the best with the situation.

“We need money to start with,” he said at borough hall. “These two women (Morana and Business Administrator Annie Darrow) have worked their tails off. They didn’t leave a stone unturned. They didn’t go a penny over the cap and they didn’t have to lay a single person off.”

            In Shrewsbury, Vincent Costa, John Smallwood, and Karolanne Konefal were elected to three-year terms in an uncontested race. Patricia Hennelly was voted into an unexpired two-year term in another uncontested race.