Voters OK incumbents but not their school tab Macagnone, Lembo, Batko win second Board of Ed. terms BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Phyllis Batko SAYREVILLE - Three Board of Education members won re-election, but their celebration was cut short by the defeat of the budget last week. "I take this as a failure and we need to fix this," board President Michael Macagnone said regarding the budget. Of the four candidates who vied for the three available three-year terms, incumbent Phyllis Batko was the top vote-getter with 1,723 votes, while Macagnone and Board Vice President Pasquale "Pat" Lembo also won their second terms with 1,639 and 1,616 votes, respectively. Lori Esposito, who sought her first term, was edged out, with 1,534 votes. "I would just like to thank the public for their support," Batko said. The budget, which called for a $99 tax increase for the owner of property assessed at the borough average of $143,000, went down by a vote of 1,711 to 1,153. Of the 22,246 registered voters in the borough, 2,926, or 13 percent, participated in the election last week. Macagnone described the voter turnout as poor and said he believes more participation from residents would have helped get the budget approved.He said the voters are clearly frustrated with taxes in general. Pasquale "Pat" Lembo "I think it's sad,"Macagnone said. "I really do think it's sad, because this is the only say that the public has on their tax dollars." He said the public may have opposed the board's proposed tax increase, but he also thinks the state of the economy played a role in the defeat of the budget. "This is the only tax increase that the public has a say on,"Macagnone said. "The bottom line is that people are taxed to death. I live in Sayreville. We are overtaxed." Batko agreed that the economy is one of the reasons the budget failed. She also said she feels the board should seek budget input from the public earlier in the budgetary process. "I think we need to start the budget process sooner next year, and I was not surprised that it failed," Batko said. "I think the board needs to communicate better with the public and get the information out there," she added. "I think we do not have a good public perception right now, and I think that hurt us." Michael Macagnone Batko said she suggested the board hold two meetings per month - one for setting the agenda and the other for voting. The board currentlymeets once a month, although it holds special meetings occasionally. Its various committees also meet. She said the board did not take her up on her suggestion that it hold an agenda meeting and another for voting every month. "I think the board needs to bemore open with the public," Batko said. "I think sometimes at our meetings, maybe the public thinks we brush off some of the issues." Macagnone said he was discouraged by the poor turnout at the board's latest budget meeting, but said that he would support efforts to hold two regularly scheduled meetings per month, as Batko suggested. "The more meetings and the more public involvement, the better," Macagnone said. Lembo said the defeat of the budget is due to public dissatisfaction with high taxes in the state. "I chalk it up to voter frustration in New Jersey," Lembo said. "I thinkNew Jersey is one of the most heavily taxed states, and unfortunately the school board budget is the only budget voters can vote on, so this becomes a way to vent our frustration on the overall property tax situation." "I think that is a big part of it," he added. With the possibility of cuts to the school budget, Lembo said he hopes the planned building improvements remain in the budget, as postponing the work could result in greater expenses in the future. He noted that there are three roof projects included in the budget, for the Emma L. Arleth School, Sayreville Middle School and part of the high school. "Our buildings are in dire need of the repairs now," he said. Lembo cited the need for roof work that goes beyond patching. "The roofs need to be replaced and it's not cost effective to do these Band-Aid fixes that are not solving the problem," he said. Lembo said he supports the budget as proposed by the board. "I think it was an excellent budget that really addressed the needs of the district, but now it will be put in the hands of the Borough Council," he said. Batko, a former councilwoman, said the council tends to find additional revenue before it begins to examine budget items for cuts.Macagnone said the board would take the council's suggestions on the budget to heart. "I think the council will do what they need to do," Macagnone said. "I think our relationship with the council is very cordial and professional. We have a great working relationship with them. We are interested in their input and we will act on their recommendations." Macagnone expressed gratitude to the voters for support his reelection and said he would continue to work for the betterment of the district. "I don't take that charge lightly," Macagnone said. "It is a big responsibility and I am willing to take it on." Lembo said one of the board's most significant goals is the $47million high school project that is slated for completion in fall 2009. He said there is also a need for the district to improve its test scores. "That is something that I look forward to working on in our second term," Lembo said. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve a second term," he added. The board will hold its reorganization meeting at Sayreville War Memorial High School at 7:30 p.m. April 29.