Brick Township Council President Anthony Matthews has announced the formation of a Council Committee to review the defeated school tax levy.  The committee will be chaired by Councilwoman Ruthanne Scaturro and will include Council Vice President Dan Toth and Councilman Brian DeLuca.  The committee will be responsible for meeting with school officials to discuss the levy and make recommendations to the Council.

“The people spoke loud and clear on the school tax levy.  Now it is up to this Council to look at the budget and determine what should be cut,” said Council President Matthews.  “The Council members who are going to be on this special committee are going to make sure there is an appropriate balance between the will of the people and the need to provide our young people with an excellent education.”

The school tax levy was defeated 7,227 – 4,794 on Tuesday evening.  As per New Jersey law, the levy will be reviewed by the Township Council who has the authority to enact cuts and adopt the final levy.

“We are going to go over the school budget as thoroughly as we can in the time we have it,” said Councilwoman Scaturro.  “We have a short window to look over a $135 million budget.  It is going to be a tough job, but we are going to get it done.”

The committee is going to meet with officials from the school administration and members of the Board of Education during the review process.  “We had the school in to discuss their budget prior to this week’s vote.  It seemed that they presented a very lean budget to the people,” said Council Vice-President Toth.  “Nonetheless, the people voted against the budget and we have an obligation to heed their will.  We are going to work with the schools to make sure that any reductions we make do not affect education.”

“Many people have expressed their concerns over block scheduling and the proposal to eliminate programs such as middle school athletics and may have based their votes on these issues,” said Council President Matthews.  “People must know that the Council does not have the authority to dictate policy or programs for the schools; all we can do is give them a number.  We can’t tell them to provide middle school sports.  Those decisions are up to the Board and administration and them alone.”

By law, the Council has until May 19 to review the school budget, make changes and adopt it.

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