North Brunswick
school budget passes
Voters approve 1.9 tax point increase by about 500 votes
Jennifer Amato
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — The school budget in North Brunswick passed for the first time in five years — by roughly 500 votes — during elections held April 21.
The budget presented a total tax impact of 1.9 tax points, or $32 annually, on the average assessed home of $157,000.
This year’s budget had been reduced by 2.2 tax points, or $34.81, annually, due to controlled spending, according to district officials. The total budget is $87,957,133 and the total local tax levy is $68,846,705 on the proposed budget, which is the first reduced budget in at least 15 years.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the people who looked at what we’re trying to do in light of this economic situation. I think our message of fiscal responsibility resonated with the community,” Superintendent of Schools Brian Zychowski said. “We have a sense of accomplishment because it really was a team effort. It’s so hard to get the message out so we really proved we were able to organize and get a consistent message out. It feels very satisfying.”
The Board of Education presented the budgets to various organizations several times throughout budget season and also held town meetings to answer questions residents had.
In addition, the elementary schools and Linwood Middle School held mock elections last week so that students would share their experience with their parents in hopes of reminding them to go to the polls.
Also during the vote, incumbent Claire Padovano, former board member Gail DiPane and newcomer Michael Dawson were elected as representatives to the Board of Education.
The other candidates vying for the three seats were incumbent Neil Malvone, former candidate Peter Kenny and newcomers George Callan and Namitha Reddy.
Padovano said she is appreciative that voters appointed her to another term.
“I hope even though people disagree on some things I voted for, I hope they understand I did it with a lot of thought and with their best interests at heart,” she said.
DiPane said that “it feels wonderful to know the people of North Brunswick have the confidence to elect me for this seat. It’s an honor.”
As a former 12-year member, she said she returned to the board because “to me, my whole life is anything to help children” and she plans on catching up with the issues facing the district.
Dawson said it is “absolutely wonderful” to have an opportunity to serve the children.
“I look forward to assessing all of the issues the board has to deal with now, and to find where I fit in and how to best serve the board.”
He said he plans to focus on the teachers’ contracts, curriculum and making sure the district spends money accordingly.
Kenny, who was the youngest candidate in 2007 at the age of 18 and who is the first candidate with disabilities, having bipolar and autism disorders, said that the campaign “was a great experience — I had the time of my life.”
Disappointed that he was not elected to the board, he said he plans to stay involved with school matters because “special ed and disabled people really need a voice in politics.” As the vice chair of the North Brunswick Abilities Council and the director of The Byron Foundation, he said, “The kids are still worth fighting for.”

Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.