Galloway BOE Approves Referendum For December

unanimously approved a for December concerning replacement of roofs and fire alarms, and renovations of a drainage system and a parking lot at its four elementary schools at its meeting on Monday night, Aug. 22 at the

The roof replacement would take place at , and , and the fire alarm replacement would be for , Roland Rogers and Smithville. The drainage system and parking lot improvements would be for Arthur Rann.

The possibility of a referendum was introduced at the Aug. 15 meeting, and at that time, a solar project and classroom additions for Reeds Road were also discussed, but those issues have been postponed until after this referendum goes to a vote.

The top thing the school board wanted to convey to the public is that this referendum tackles issues of health and safety for students and staff.

“There is something for all four schools here,” Superintendent of Schools Annette Giaquinto said. “They are for health and safety. They are for improvements to extend the life of the schools and keep them environmentally sound.”

The next step is to obtain approval from the state Department of Education and give another presentation in September.

“Then we’ll go on the campaign trail,” Giaquinto said.

At last week’s meeting, Business Administrator Vickie Tomasco said the school tax residents currently pay would increase by a few cents. It could be less if the school district receives state aid for debt service.

With the adjustments, the cost is closer to $7 million, with a penny tax increase for residents for the time being, until the school district can pay off its current debt.

“I just hope the public realizes how much work goes into these plans and seriously considers voting for it,” Board Member Rose Hollway said during the meeting.

will also hold a referendum in December, which includes a new roof, new heating, air conditioning and ventilation system, and solar panels.

Also at the Aug. 22 meeting, the Galloway Township Board of Education introduced its new Business Administrator, Tim Kelley.

Kelley has beem the Assistant Business Administrator in the Bridgeton School District for the last three years, and was an auditor for KPMG for eight years prior to that. Before that, he worked at Schwartz and Company in Mays Landing, where he served as a School Auditor.

His first day is Nov. 15, and he will be taking over for the retiring Vickie Tomasco.