Dear Community Member:

Tomorrow is Annual School Election Day throughout New Jersey. In Mount Laurel, polls will be open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. As we move closer to the deadline for voters to make their decisions, many questions have arisen. We have attempted to answer each through our newsletter, our special Election Central website and these newsletters. I would like to address the most prevalent questions here.

Q: Why does Mount Laurel traditionally receive less state aid than surrounding districts?
A: Unfortunately, the state funding formula designates our township as a "wealthy township" based upon our socio-economic level. The formula has not been adjusted based on current income levels in many years.

Q: Why are polls open only between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.?
A: Primarily for security reasons. Since voting takes place in our schools, the opening of the polls coincides closely with student dismissal. In years past when the polls have been open for a full day, we tracked the number of voters and found no increase in participation to justify the risk and costs.

Q: Have Mount Laurel Teachers agreed to a pay freeze for next year?
A:  Administration did not seek a pay freeze from employees for next year. Firstly, that option was suggested for districts where layoffs were necessary due to cuts in state aid. We were able to reduce 29 positions through retirement, attrition and reallocation without layoffs. Secondly, our association is in the second year of a three-year contract. We are beginning negotiations for the next contract very soon. A "once and done" pay freeze now would negatively impact the sustainable concessions that we believe will be made at the bargaining table when we need them most.

Q: Will Mount Laurel School District employees contribute to their health benefits costs?
A: Yes. Under new state law, all employees will begin contributing 1.5-percent of their salary to health benefits with all new contracts.

Q: Will the budget reductions that have been made increase class sizes here?
A: No. One of our priorities was to maintain our class averages in order to support our individualized instructional programs. The proposed budget reflects that priority.

Q: What happens if the budget is not approved by the voters tomorrow?
A: By law, the budget proposal is submitted to the local governing body - in this case - Mount Laurel Town Council - for review. Council can recommend reductions, which the board of education may either accept or appeal to the NJ Commissioner of Education.

Sincerely,