Budgets, Challengers Prevail in School Board Elections

Voters in Verona and Cedar Grove approved tax levies for the 2011-2012 school year tonight, and picked challengers over incumbents for both open seats on the Boards of Education.

The numbers are all considered unofficial until they are certified by the County.

In Verona, 1,235 residents, or 12.5 percent of the eligible voting population, cast ballots in tonight's election. Challenger Dawn DuBois received 596 votes, and emerged victorious. She will succeed incumbent trustee Steven Spardel, who withdrew his candidacy earlier this month but still appeared on the ballot.

Despite filing a letter with the school board saying he would decline the position if elected, Spardel still received 337 votes.

Voters in Verona also approved a $27.1 million tax levy, which will result in an average school tax increase of $104 per household, or $8.66 per month. The levy passed with 724 votes in favor, and 543 opposed.

In Cedar Grove, newcomer Christine Dye ousted incumbent Michael Grabas for his seat on the K-12 Board of Education, beating him in each of the township's 10 voting districts. The unofficial tally gives a nearly 400-vote edge to Dye, who garnered 1,120 votes to Grabas' 751.

Cedar Grove voters also passed the district's $23.1 million tax levy by a ratio of nearly 2-to-1, a margin Board of Education President Frank Mandala called "historic and unprecedented."

"We made Cedar Grove history tonight," Mandala said from the upstairs ballroom at Rare Steakhouse in Little Falls, where district parents and officials were gathered in celebration.

"We're going to continue restoring the pride in Cedar Grove education. That's what this is. Continue the progress, restore the pride."

With tonight's tax levy passage, the Cedar Grove School District brings its 6-year passed budget percentage to 50 percent. Last year's tax levy was defeated at the polls by just 22 votes.

The voter-approved levy will result in a school tax hike of $75, or $6.25 per month, for a household assessed at the township average of $480,300.

Dye said she was "pleased" that she won, and said she "can't wait to get started" in her new position, but saved most of her excitement for the passage of the budget.

"I'm extremely excited the budget passed, and passed by a lot," she said.

"It shows the township really does value education. This is a great day for Cedar Grove."