Budget voted down; 3 win seats on board
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - Voters gave the thumbs down to the proposed school budget, while Eugene Donofrio, Abhishek Desai and David Josselyn took the three Board of Education seats.

All three candidates are new to the board, and will take the place of current board President John Allen, and members Linda Ault-McLaren and Barbara Rossi.

The vote count remained unofficial at press time, and though Donofrio and Desai would not be affected by the additional absentee and provisional ballots, Josselyn's post could be threatened by Ingrid Andrade, whose name remained on the ballot even though she dropped out of the race.

While Desai said the results of the election were as could be expected, he was left with a bit of disappointment, he said.

"I'm just a little sad that there is such a low voter turnout," Desai said. "I really think everyone should come out and vote. That's the only way we can really say anything about the budget, or the way the administration is working."

"I'm pretty excited," Donofrio said. "I didn't think I had that much support, but it's a good thing. People are ready for a change. I'm really looking forward to getting started. Hopefully, I can make a difference."

The unofficial tallies put Donofrio above his competition, with 1,466 votes. Desai garnered 1,114; Josselyn, 969; Andrade, 957; and write-in candidate Frank Weber received 469 votes.

For the budget, 1,152 residents voted yes, while 1,361 voted against it.

If Andrade ends up with more votes than Josselyn after the final tally and Andrade does not accept the term, the board will vote to appoint a member to fill the seat.

Josselyn said he is confident about the situation, because of information he has received.

"According to what [the county Clerk's Office] have got, I'm still ahead," Josselyn said.

Even if Andrade were to come out ahead in the polls, Josselyn said according to information from board members, he does not think he would have a problem being appointed.

"I'm kind of shocked," Josselyn said. "Last year, I got the least amount of votes in the election. I didn't think I was going to do that well. I'm excited, but I'm serious."

Josselyn said he will focus largely on reducing spending in the district. While he said he sees the value in things like the proposed full-day kindergarten, saving taxpayers money is a big priority.

"We have got to have more fiscally responsible spending," Josselyn said. "There has got to be more economical ways of doing things."

Heeding the voices of residents is another thing Josselyn said is important to him.

Josselyn said he is confident in both Donofrio and Desai, and that Weber, a former veteran of the board, should have come forth with his knowledge and experience sooner, and with more frequency.

"I challenge Frank Weber, that if he's going to get involved at the end of the year, that he get involved throughout the year, because his input could be valuable," Josselyn said.

Schools Business Administrator Nancy Mongon said school administrators are working on the defeated budget packet they are required to submit to the township. By May 21, between the school and township, the terms of the budget, as well as the tax levy, must be determined so it can be submitted to the county.

Mongon said the budget was under cap, and as of now, school officials have no plans about what could be done to reduce it further.