On Sept. 17, voters in Dennis and Middle townships will be asked to vote on referendums that would in each case increase school taxes for all property owners in the respective townships. Because this vote is being done through the mechanism of a special election in September instead of during the general election just seven weeks later, taxpayers across both townships will foot the bill for the special election as well. In Middle Township that bill incurred by the school district is estimated to be about $43,000 of taxpayer money.
It is no surprise that special elections have significantly lower voter turnout than the general election.
What this means is that the respective school boards in Middle and Dennis townships are spending taxpayer funds to hold a vote at a time where history tells us less than 10% of the eligible voters will cast a ballot. At the general election just seven weeks later, the turnout will be much higher, especially in a presidential election year. At that general election the taxpayers in the school districts would not have to shoulder a separate expense for their referendum.
So, why do what they are doing? Why not seek the greatest representation of citizens and no extra cost? Does seven weeks make that big of a difference in their proposals?
The likely answer is that it is an attempt to get a potentially unpopular ballot question approved while most voters are not even aware that a vote is taking place or the significance that vote has to their tax bills.
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Why not seek the greatest representation of citizens and no extra cost?
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In 2022 both Lower Township Elementary School District and Lower Cape May Regional School District received voter approval for new bonding with a 7% turnout in the Lower Township district and a 9% turnout in the combined Lower Cape Regional district.
In 2023 Dennis Township sought a $1.3 million increase in the local school levy using the general election ballot as a vehicle to ask voters. The request was defeated.
The popularity of using special elections may have much to do with their success rate where it is easier to turn out those who favor the referendums.
In September, both school districts are asking for increases in the school tax levy that would become permanent, or in the case of Middle Township permanent for at least 20 years.
Middle Township school officials say that the “average” home assessment is $250,000 and the new taxes on that home would be $165 a year.
Dennis Township School District did not provide a specific number for the average assessed value in the township with this question, but they did in the district’s presentation concerning the referendum the voters rejected in 2023. At that time, according to the district’s budget presentation in April 2023, the average assessed value is $278,800 and the impact on that home’s taxes if the increase in taxes then were approved was $485.
In 2022 both township school districts were part of a consolidation study along with Woodbine School District. The 106-page report looked at financial and legal issues, the portfolio of educational programs, what was termed the school climate, teacher ratios and district state assessments, among other things. The capacity of each town’s school structures was also a major consideration.
The report urged seeking input from the community. It listed advantages and some disadvantages of consolidation. Yet no such broad community involvement was ever sought.
In a letter to a concerned citizen, David Salvo, Middle Township superintendent, said bluntly, “All three school districts face disadvantages in consolidating and/or regionalization.” He did not mention the advantages identified by the study. Salvo went on to say, “There are no plans for consolidation/regionalization at this time.”
Whether consolidation is part of a rational answer to state aid cuts or not requires careful study and community/stakeholder feedback. A pronouncement from the superintendent of the largest school district is simply not sufficient.
The state aid cuts were outlined seven years ago. Projections of how much would be lost were available as early as 2018. The seven years was meant to give towns a time period to gradually plan for a soft landing with the cuts in state aid. How did we get here? Cuts were made to be sure, but it is not evident those cuts were ever seen as sustainable.
Middle Township wants to add $26 million in new debt for renovations at two schools and select athletic fields. Dennis Township is seeking to return class size to its 2022-2023 levels, to continue courtesy busing and to fund extracurricular and sports programs. Dennis seeks $2.2 million in additional tax levy.
Isn’t it time to stop hiding from public involvement? The referendums should be when the voting population is at its maximum, not its minimum. Real plans for a future without the adjustment state aid need to be publicly debated. Studies like the consolidation analysis conducted by Stockton University need to see the light of day even if top school administrators don’t like the idea of consolidation.
Our school administrators need to do more. We should have been on this much earlier with community involvement. The Sept. 17 election is a blatant attempt to get two referendums passed with minimal voter involvement even though if passed they add burdens to all taxpayers. It’s wrong and should not be allowed.
