Schools

Substantial Turnout as Voters Decide on Schools Budget

Six vie for three Board of Education seats.

The lines to vote stretched out the door at some polling places as Madison residents turned out for today's schools elections.

A polls supervisor at the library said that turnout was "much heavier" than in 2010, thanks to balmy weather and budget and school board contests that have riveted the borough's attention.

Voter sentiment was mixed as to the fate of the schools budget. Some said that they voted to approve the spending plan despite misgivings while others rejected it outright, citing cuts to athletic and music programs and a lack of transparency in the budget process.

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

"I'm not happy about it, but voting yes means we still keep part of the budget process under the town's control," said Kate McCullogh, voting at the library, "So many things have been cut that have an impact on the community, it's like we're putting a band-aid on an open artery."

"I voted 'no' on the budget," said another resident, who requested anonymity. "Taxes are high enough."

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

Six candidates are also vying for three three-year terms on the Madison .

At Fellowship Hall, residents arrived right up until the poll's announced closing time of 9 p.m. Anyone in line by 9 p.m. are permitted to vote.

"We have seen a steady stream of people all day," said a poll worker.

Candidate Thomas Haralampoudis was at the train station, getting in some last-minute campaigning with passengers arriving on homebound trains.

"I will gladly take a vote from someone who is undecided, and by being here I am helping attach a face to a name that they may not have seen before," he said while handing out flyers. "I also want them to understand how important the school budget is, that it is fair to the town, fair to the residents, and necessary for the schools."

Voters in 2010 rejected the schools budget for the first time in 15 years. Another rejection will again send the budget to the borough council for what amounts to final dispensation.

The Madison district tax levy is $32,527,319 for 2011-12, up from $31,889,528 in 2010-11, but under the state-mandated cap limiting the year-on-year increase to 2%.

While taxes increase, Madison has also seen its share of state aid shrink from $1.6 million in 2009-2010 to zero in 2010-11, then up to $349,346 for 2011-12.

School board members and administrators again this year were forced to make potentially painful budget cuts, most notably for high school assistant coaching positions and the elimination of the 4th grade instrumental music program.

The contest for board seats has led to keen and, at times, heated rhetoric among the candidates:

  • Incumbent David Arthur, an insurance executive who once taught at the high school, elected to a three-year term in 2008;
  • Incumbent Shade Grahling, who was elected to her first term in 2008 and has three children in district schools;
  • Brenda Catalanello, wife of borough councilman Robert Catalanello, who also has three children in the public schools and is co-president of the Torey J. Sabatini School PTO;
  • Thomas Haralampoudis, who runs an import business and has five children in Madison schools, and serves as chairman of the Environmental Commission;
  • Carmen Pico, a Madison native and former member of the Randolph Board of Education who works as a bus driver for the Mendham school district;
  • Karin Szotak, who is co-president of the TJS PTO, and has three children in borough public schools.


New Jersey’s school elections historically are held on the third Tuesday in April but were moved this year to avoid conflicting with the first night of Passover April 19.

Here are the location's of Madison's four polling places:

  • Districts 1, 3, 9 and 13 will vote at , 203 Green Avenue, Fellowship Hall.
  • Districts 2, ,4 and 10 will vote at , 95 North Street, Front Entrance Room.
  • Districts 5, 7, 8 and 12 will vote at , 39 Keep Street, Chase Auditorium.
  • Districts 6, 11 and 14 will vote at Madison Housing Authority, 15 Chateau Thierry, Community Room.


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