Budget Passes; Bruno, Samperi, Salerno, Romano Elected to Board

UPDATE 10:40 p.m. - Taxpayers voted in favor of the $25,917,317 2011-2012 school budget Wednesday, which means a homeowner in a residence appraised at the average home value of $436,000 will pay an additional $54 per year for the school portion of the tax bill.

The vote on the budget was 694 votes in favor and 564 against.

“The community is clear in its statement that Hasbrouck Heights schools will continue to focus on math, science and literacy to prepare students for  post-secondary careers,” said Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent of schools, adding that passing the budget showed that the community wants to see these programs continue.

The $23,876,774 tax levy, which is the amount that is actually funded by taxpayers, went up about 1 percent from 2010.

As for the Board of Education trustee election, Debra Bruno, Joseph Samperi, and Robert Salerno all won election to three-year terms. Bruno had 692 votes, Samperi had 664 and Salerno 651, narrowly edging incumbent Lisa Hodulik, with 647.  Hodulik was seeking re-election to a third term.

“I just want to do the right thing for the kids in the district and the people in town," said Salerno upon learning of his win. Salerno previously served on the board from 2006 to 2009.

Samperi, who sought election to the board for the first time, said,"I just want to thank everyone for coming out, voting and for their support. I’m really excited to be part of this board for the next three years. 

He added that he, "looks forward to working with my fellow members on the board. I congratulate Lillian Romano, Robert Salerno and Debra Bruno on their victories as well.”

Lillian Romano defeated Joann Garifalos for the one available two-year term on the board, by a vote of 606 for Romano to 392 for Garifalos, an incumbent who was seeking re-election. Romano had served previously on the board from 2007 to 2010. She did not seek re-election last year as she wanted to devote this year to her daughter’s college search.

In regards to her win Romano said she was "happy to add to the integrity of the district."

All vote totals include the absentee ballots.

The school administration and board members have previously stated that they were able to be “creative” in putting together a budget that allowed them to maintain programs and add more instruction such as new AP, or advanced placement courses.

In 2010, the school district lost more than half its state aid and this year the governor gave an additional $234,072 back to Hasbrouck Heights for a total of $649,140 in aid for this coming year.

Voter turn out was low at 1,282 voters out of 7,245 registered voters in Hasbrouck Heights.