Schools
Your Guide to Morris School District Elections
A $100 million budget is in play, along with three unopposed Board of Education seats.
THE BUDGET
The Big Numbers: The school board is proposing a 2011-2012 budget of $100,493,559. The tax rate for Morristown would be $1.27 per $100 of assessed valuation. The tax rate for Morris Township would be $1.40.
What It Means for Your Tax Bill: For a Morristown home assessed at the municipal average of $354,000, that tax rate of $1.27 translates to a yearly bill of about $4,496 (not counting municipal and county taxes, which are set separately). That would be up $158 from the 2010-2011. For a Morris Township home assessed at the municipal average of $390,000, the $1.40 tax rate means a payment of $5,460, up $189.
Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
What It Means For School Programs: The big cuts happened last year, which is why Schools Superintendent Thomas Ficarra has emphasized that "there will be no additional cuts this year to our programs." Funds would be restored to the summer school program, which took a heavy hit in the 2010-11 budget, but the program would remain at a four-day-a-week schedule.
Impact of the Tax Cap: For the first time, tax levies for school budgets are only typically allowed to grow up to 2 percent year-over-year. The law putting that cap into effect, however, allows certain exceptions for expenses such as healthcare and pension contributions. Even with those costs included, the tax levy is set to stay under the cap, at a 1.69 percent increase.
Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The History: Very good for proponents of the budget, as budgets passed in the Morris School District for years.
What Happens if Voters Shoot Down the Budget: It would next go to both Morristown council and Morris Township committee for review. They would then make cuts, which they'd send to the school board to implement. The governing bodies get to decide how much money comes out of the plan; the school board gets to decide where that money comes from.
How To Learn More: Our previous coverage is a good place to start. See and for more.
THE SCHOOL BOARD RACE
In the Running: Three incumbents are running unopposed for re-election: .
The Big Issues: Among the issues facing candidates are how to .
WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE
Polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. on April 27. Locations are as follows:
WARD DISTRICT LOCATION 01 01 Municipal Building, 200 South Street, Lobby01 02 Municipal Building, 200 South Street, Lobby
01 03 Municipal Building, 200 South Street, Lobby
01 04 Municipal Building, 200 South Street, Lobby
02 01 Lafayette School, Hazel Street, Auditorium
02 02 Lafayette School, Hazel Street, Auditorium
02 03 Lafayette School, Hazel Street, Auditorium
03 01 Alexander Hamilton School, 24 Mills Street, Auditorium
03 02 Alexander Hamilton School, 24 Mills Street, Auditorium
03 03 Alexander Hamilton School, 24 Mills Street, Auditorium
04 01 Thomas Jefferson School, James Street/Ogden Place, Auditorium
04 02 Thomas Jefferson School, James Street/Ogden Place, Auditorium
04 03 Thomas Jefferson School, James Street/Ogden Place, Auditorium
04 04 Thomas Jefferson School, James Street/Ogden Place, Auditorium
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