Voters Express Differing Opinions on School Budget

Polls have been open since 7 a.m., and voters are making their way to to vote on the proposed $67,763,621 school budget, a 1.5 percent increase in the local tax levy.

Some voters expressed concern on Wednesday about the school's budget.

"Well, there's a lot of waste in there," Alan Rosmain said. "When they say they have the students on their mind, that's the last thing they have on their mind."

"I think it's too high," Norma Seeberg said. "Everybody has to account for their money today, and it's hard."

Dr. Michael Duddy, who sat on the Montville Board of Education from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2006, said the budget is "as good as it's going to get," considering Gov. Christie's spending restrictions, which caps any increase on the local tax levy at 2 percent.

"Every budget could probably be tightened," Barbara Owens said. "Personal, state, national."

Tina and Keith Sabin, parents with children in the district, said they don't want to see programs cut.

"When you have a state that's bankrupt, you shouldn't take it out on the kids," Keith Sabin said. "That's the future...they can find other places to cut."

Three board of education seats are also on the ballot, but only three candidates are running: Incumbents Michael Palma and Matthew Kayne are running for re-election and Frank Cooney is running for an open seat vacated by exiting board member Paul Przetak.