Public Questions for O'Port

$4 million is the amount of allocated funds Oceanport will receive for students to attend Shore Regional if voters flip yes on public question one. Oceanport's $4,008,925.58 slice is part of a $14 million budget plan proposed for adoption by the Shore Regional Board of Education.

Passing the measure will raise the tax rate in Oceanport minimally, from 0.357 per $100 in assessed value in 2010-11 to 0.382 per $100 in 2011-12.

For the average Oceanport home valued at $450,000, the property tax increase would be $114.48 for the year for a total bill of $1,719.

Shore Regional Business Administrator Dennis Kotch said it is important for the voters to approve the budget on April 27, because as it stands right now, teachers, students and programs will not affected.

"If the budget is defeated, it comes right out of here," Kotch said. "That means students, supplies and teachers."

If the school budget is not approved the councils of the school's sending districts can approve cuts that would lower the tax levy.

If voters flip yes on question two, they will be OK-ing an $8.8 million package for the Oceanport (K-8) Board of Education to provide additional services beyond the core curriculum programs offered by the state.

The Board of Education is urging residents to pass the $31,000 budget increase, a $15 increase per year for a $450,000 house in Oceanport.

Residents can vote on April 27  from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at their local polling facilities.