ELECTED!

Budget passes; Setser, Kortvelesy, Beatty win

By JOEL LANDAU
and KRISTI FUNDERBURK
Staff Writers
djlocalnews@thedailyjournal.com

MILLVILLE -- Voters approved Tuesday the $9.79 million tax levy for the 2008-09 school year and elected Dan Kortvelesy, Fred Setser and Michael Beatty three open, three-year seats on the Board of Education. Connie Johnson and newcomer Mark Krull won one-year seats. There were a total of 11 prospective candidates. The winning candidates -- including three incumbents, but not Millville Senior High student candidate David Gifford -- will be sworn in Monday. Kortvelesy received 512 votes; Setser received 528; and Beatty received 457. Johnson received 416 votes and Mark Krull received 397. Voters also approved Millville's first tax rate increase in six years. The 2-cent tax rate increase will generate $291,000 for the district and cost about $20 in taxes for a household assessed at $100,000 each year, Business Administrator Bryce Kell said. The budget the school board submitted to the state already included 40 position cuts; tuition increases for Millville's sending districts; larger class sizes and cuts in programs. Beatty, who was re-elected to his second term, said board members were concerned about voters defeating the budget, which he said would have meant more cuts for the district. "We're very pleased the public supported us," he said. "We tried to put it in front of them and tell them how much we needed it." Most of the candidates gathered at City Hall to watch the results unveiled on a large screen. Krull eagerly awaited the vote totals, hoping for his first term on the board. "I had no idea if I'd flop or if I'd be the top person," he said. "I feel good. It was a lot of hard work by a lot of people." Johnson was re-elected to her fourth term, and said she wasn't nervous about the outcome. "I've been through it before," she said. "I'll work to ensure the quality of education for our children and watching over the tax dollars." The city reported 1,001 residents voted, a 6.29 percent turnout of registered voters. Obsta principiis We cut 40 teachers, taken away numerous programs, raise tuition from the sending districts that will raise the senders taxes to cover the costs and we do it for the "benefit" of the children. WTF. I cant wait until 5 years from now when 200 teachers will be cut and most programs eliminated and the only people at school will be the students wondering what the h--l is going on. Someone once said, 'Plan now for a stable future', I would like to be enlightened by the originator of this phrase as to what the future will be, according to him. Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:52 pm Warren Peace I agree!! I asked workers at the polls and they said that the state mandates the hours. I think mainly teachers and more affluent vote. Some community activists and political leaders do too. I mean its set up for low turnout but as a citizens paying taxes, folks should TRY a little harder to be informed!! Right Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:43 am southjersey Six percent of registered voters may have made some good choices, but 94% made the bad choice to stay home. These elections need to be moved to one of the regular election days with normal polling hours! Otherwise, they are little more than a joke. Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:37 am wwilson The voters made some good choices this time around. They seemed to know who they wanted and it was good to pass the budget and avoid more problems with the school budget Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:30 am Post a Comment View All Comments Originally published April 16, 2008 Print this article E-mail this to a friend Subscribe Now