Schools

Board of School Estimate Approves $62M Budget

Budget passes 3-2 in what is believed to be the most contentious vote in Board of School Estimate history.

The Board of School Estimate voted 3-2 Wednesday night to approve a $62-million budget for the 2010-2011 school year.

This budget carries with it 5.6 percent tax levy increase or $346.39 more a year for the taxpayer with a home assessed at $410,000.

The vote was believed to be the most divisive in Board of School Estimate history with both Councilmen Tom Getzendanner and Rich Madden voting against the Board of Education's proposed budget.

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Madden said he would have liked to see an additional $350,000 in cuts to keep the tax levy increase below 5 percent. But his requests to the board for these cuts went unanswered.

"I believe that words have meaning. That a promise made is a promise kept," Mayor Jordan Glatt said of his campaign promise to support the schools. "Like many other candidates, I promised to do what is best for the schools if I was elected. I plan to honor that pledge."

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many concerned parents and residents spoke before the final vote, some in favor of supporting the budget and some against.

Resident Harry Young was one of the many who felt the increase was unwarranted

"Nobody wants to hack at and attack our students and the school system," he said, "but I think the people need to be realistic."

But some residents said they were willing to pay more for the quality education they feel the Summit school district provides.

Nora Radest, president of the Summit Educational Foundation, urged the board to support the budget.

"Please don't be shortsighted," she said. "Preserve the excellence, preserve our community and preserve our future."

However, when the resolution to appropriate the funds comes before council on April 6 it is likely that Madden and Getzendanner will reopen the discussion to cut additional funds.

Several council members were in attendance Wednesday night including Councilman At-large Steve Murphy, Councilwoman Ellen Dickson, Councilman Michael Vernotico and Council President Dave Bomgaars.

"Council and the board of education must work together to get through these difficult times and make Summit the trendsetter that it should be," Madden said.


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