S.B. BOE approves budget Murino SOUTH BRUNSWICK- The Board of Education passed the $135,953,172 proposed school budget during a meeting on March 19. If approved by voters on April 15, the tax increase would be 5.8 cents per $100 in valuation, the lowest increase since 1999. At the meeting, senior citizen and township resident Russell Swenson expressed his concerns over the taxes increasing even a little bit. "The economy has gone sour," he said. "Two neighbors are out of work. This is not a good time to be faced with a lot of increases. Between the cost of living and all the taxes, it's just killing us." He said he and his wife were considering leaving the state of New Jersey due to all of the tax increases. Superintendent Gary McCartney said he understood Swenson's concerns. "We know all too well about the economy and the circumstances that impact our senior citizens," he said. During the elections, there will also be three open seats for the Board of Education. Incumbents Naushad Islam, Matthew Speesler and Martin Abschutz are running, as are newcomers Arthur Robinson and Edward Birch. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.