Marlboro Board of Education President Fires Back at Critics of School Referendum

The battle lines are being drawn. In a recent article appearing in The News Transcript, Marlboro Board of Education President, Ms. Debbie Mattos, is refuting three previous articles written by two former Board members and one sitting Board member over the merits of a referendum scheduled for September 26, 2017.

At issue are matters regarding transparency and truthfulness. Former Board of Education vice president, Ms. Victoria Dean and former Board of Education member, Ms. Bonnie Sue Rosenwald, along with current Board member, Mr. Craig Marshall, are alleging the district is putting all its eggs in one basket by going with one "unverified opinion" of an architect, who "stands to profit."

Another controversial matter is the state's 40% construction aid grant. The District is alleging the school aid is based on a successful outcome of the referendum, while critics allege the school aid will be received without a referendum--and has received such aid in the past.

Will taxes rise? Former Board members Rosenwald and Dean say yes, they will indeed rise.

Referendum Voting Date: The scheduled date of September 26th has been a major source of contention. This date has caused an increased expense upon the school district as opposed to waiting just several weeks later, when the district could have opted to have the referendum placed on the ballot during the general election scheduled for November 7th--which will assure a larger turnout for the governor's election and all members of the New Jersey legislature.

Critics--namely on social media, feel the date of September 26th, was specifically targeted to capture a more sympathetic audience to the referendum: parents of K-8 students.

This is the third attempt at getting the referendum passed. The two previous attempts were voted down by the taxpayers of Marlboro.

It remains unclear, whether or not the Board of Education may attempt to appeal to the state for the requested repairs, if the referendum gets rejected for the third time. According to the Educational and Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the Board of Education reserves that right.

The school referendum election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 26, 2017.