School Districts Working Hard to Get Word Out on Referendum

On the eve before voters go to the polls to vote for or against two separate but equally important referendum ballots for the and school districts, respectively, officials from those districts have done all they can to get the message out reminding residents to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Galloway Township Superintendent of Schools Annette Giaquinto said her district held an information session during American Education Week.

Information has also been provided on the district's web site and there are reminders on the marquees in front of the district's elementary and middle schools.

The Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District also held at each of the district's three high schools, even though each had low public turnout.

Giaquinto acknowledged that seeing the lack of public attendance was disappointing.

"It's a busy time of year," Giaquinto said. 

It's less than two weeks before Hanukkah and Christmas, so the public’s attention may be on holiday shopping and planning, Giaquinto said, in addition to their every day activities. 

This premise is the basis for Galloway Township "taking a multi-faceted approach."

Steven Ciccariello, superintendent of schools for the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District, could not be reached regarding what actions that district is taking in these last few days before the referendum.

One thing both districts have done in the past few weeks has been to attend events that have been held within each other's district.

The latest was Friday evening, when representatives from the Galloway Township school district were at Absegami High School's production of “White Christmas,” handing out information and answering any questions residents may have regarding the special election.

are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., allowing residents ample time to go to the polls before or after work.

Giaquinto is hopeful, indicating that there's no scientific correlation between low turnout at informational sessions and board meetings and the percentage of voters who come out and vote.

She said she believes the length of the election will allow people to work around their commitments to come out on Tuesday to vote.

The the local referendum will have on township residents is minimal, Giaquinto said, acknowledging that an owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will only be paying $14.42 more in taxes per year. A homeowner whose house is assessed at $200,000 will be paying $28.84 more if the local referendum passes.