North Bergen residents will vote on three school board seats and a $111.1 million budget on April 20.
This year’s 2010-2011 school budget has decreased from last year’s, due to Gov. Christopher Christie’s cuts in state school aid. The loss will be partly made up by an increase in local school taxes and layoffs.
Under the state’s 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, the Board of Education will receive 7.5 percent less in state aid. Because of that $4.4 million cut, the school tax levy was raised to $39.9 million.
According to school board Business Administrator Steven Somick, homeowners will see a 3.9 percent school tax increase, amounting to approximately $85 more annually on a home assessed at $140,000. Taxpayers also pay an amount to the county and city.
“I have no preparation for a victory celebration.” – Herbert Shaw
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If the public votes against the budget, it will likely be revised to include even more cuts.
On April 20, besides voting for the budget, voters will also be asked to elect three candidates to school board seats.
The incumbents in the school board race say that the budget issues have made this fiscal year difficult and the future uncertain.
Incumbents Edward LaTour, Charlotte DiGennaro and Miguel Hector are running for reelection to three-year terms.
Frequent candidates Herbert Shaw and William Koehler are both running for seats, as they have done for many years now, as well as newcomer Cesar Vega, a neighbor of theirs.
Tough decisions
LaTour said it is a very significant election because of the pains that will be felt from the state’s budget cuts.
“It’s going to affect the children of the community,” said LaTour, speaking about future layoffs. “However, we have to live with what we have to live with, and we must operate within the confines of the law. Based on that, some terrible decisions are going to be made at a future date.”
He said that because of these future decisions, it was very important for residents to vote. School board elections traditionally have low turnout in the district.
Koehler, who has seven home-schooled children, said that the cuts are unfortunate, but necessary.
“I understand the budgets have to be cut and there is less money, but couldn’t [the state have] found a way around it where there wouldn’t have to be so many layoffs of teachers?” asked DiGennaro.
She said that it was a worry she shares, since as a township employee in the public safety department, she fears losing her job as well.
DiGennaro said that she wishes the governor would have raised taxes for those who earn over $400,000 a year or more, rather than lowering those people’s taxes. She said that then perhaps the hardship would have been lessened for everyone.
Next year
Koehler and Shaw have run for the Board of Education many times before, and lost.
“I like to give people a chance to vote against the slate that is always presented,” said Koehler.
He said it is still possible to beat the “political machine,” but it would require more effort than he is able to commit to right now. He hopes to retire next year and give them a “run for their money.”
Shaw said that he would have a chance to win the election if residents in the 5th Ward, predominately residents in public and senior housing, came out and voted in stronger numbers.
“I’m the only opposition,” said Shaw. “That’s not much.”
He said that it is unlikely that he will win a seat. “I have no preparation for a victory celebration,” he said.
Incumbent Miguel Hector and newcomer Cesar Vega did not respond to requests for information in time for publication.
Who’s who
Charlotte DiGennaro (incumbent): A mother to three children who graduated from North Bergen High School, DiGennaro first joined the board in 1986. She works for the North Bergen Department of Public Safety.
Miguel Hector (incumbent): Former president to the board, Hector has served since 2000. Hector is an electrical engineer and the owner of an affordable housing complex on Kennedy Boulevard.
William Koehler: Koehler, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, is a life-long resident who graduated from North Bergen High School. He is an engineer who works for his wife at K and H Machine Shop on Grand Avenue. They have seven children, all of whom have been home-schooled.
Edward LaTour (incumbent): Since 1985 Edward LaTour has served on the board. He is an employee of the Hudson County Department of Public Resources’ Central Garage and the proprietor of LaTour’s Deli, located on Grand Avenue.
Herbert Shaw: Shaw, a Korean War Veteran, is a retired operating engineer. He has run for board seats more than 30 times.
Cesar Vega: A political newcomer. Did not return phone calls by press time.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.