School budget passes; incumbents reelected to BOE

Voters approved the 2023-2024 school budget yesterday, May 16, with over 1,839 residents voting “yes” and 1,315 voting “no.” The $183,038,428 budget represents an increase of 2.91% over last year’s budget and a tax levy increase of 1.99%.

Incumbent trustees David Badanes and Donna McNaughton were reelected to the board of education, defeating Ocean Avenue parent Amanda Cascio.

Proposition 2, which authorizes the district to expend $2,374,944 for the purpose of performing necessary capital projects, including district-wide roof replacements, HVAC renovations and proactive district-wide asbestos abatements, also passed (2,249 to 693).

The final vote tallies in the race for trustee are as follows:
Amanda Cascio: 1,147 votes
David Badanes: 2,174 votes
Donna McNaughton: 2,275 votes

The board of education will soon be tasked with the hiring of a new superintendent, as current Superintendent of School Robert Banzer is retiring at the end of December 2023.