NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—City taxpayers will see no change in the amount of money they are taxed to fund the city’s public school district if voters approve the proposed budget on April 16.

“The tax levy will stay the same for the seventh straight year,” Business Administrator Richard Jannarone said.

“There’s very few, if not any other district, that hasn’t raised the taxes in the last seven years and I think that’s something we can all be very proud of.”

But when asked by NewBrunswickToday.com why the budget shrunk by $3.5 million and how that cost savings was accomplished, both Superintendent Kaplan and Jannarone did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

This election will be the first time voters have a say in the district’s budget.  They will also choose three candidates to serve on the board of the six that are running. 

The school board met March 21 in the New Brunswick High School auditorium to send the 2013-2014 budget to voters.  It had been previously approved by the Executive County Superintendent in the amount of $195,055,006.

The members of the board agreed that it is a collaborative effort among themselves and the New Brunswick public school’s staff in keeping the budget where it is today.

Mr. Edward Spencer, board president, described the hub city as being unique and that said that residents of New Brunswick should be proud to be live there.

“We’re a unique municipality,” Spencer said.  “We have a city and a board of education that work collaboratively, that’s what makes New Brunswick the city that it is.”

The winners of the April 16 election will be sworn in at the board’s re-organization meeting will be held Tuesday April 30 in the New Brunswick High School auditorium at 6 p.m.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.  Please visit NewBrunswickToday.com for up-to-date election results this evening.