Poll: Will You Vote 'Yes' on Ridgewood School Budget?

Only about 10 percent of New Jersey school districts left the fate of the largest local tax driver in the hands of the voting public, and .

On Monday, the school board . Voters will get their say on April 17 on raising school taxes another 2 percent, with a general tax levy of $82.9 million. The average resident with a home assessed at about $794,000 $195 for the 2012-2013 school year.

Some of the major budget highlights include no projected cuts in staffing, a budgeted 2 percent salary increase to teachers (who are still upset about the unresolved contract), an overhaul of the K-8 science program. Major cost drivers are found largely in escalating health care costs, hitting an estimated 20 percent in 2012-2013, officials said. The budget is balanced largely by reducing the fund balance as well as newly-mandated employee contributions to health care.

Board members say the budget is fiscally responsible, checking in at the 2 percent levy cap and maintaining programs and facilities. Detractors, however, say they just can't take another tax hike.

The school board unquestionably took a political risk in not moving elections. Though last year's budget passed by a comfortable margin, the budget was voted down in 2010-2011. The council , but otherwise did not reduce the tax levy.

Should the budget go down again, school administrators say the prospect of staff cuts or program changes is highly likely.

Take our poll below – how will you be voting for the school budget? Tell us in the comments why you made your selection.