School Budget
Yes 409
No 324

Bond Referendum
Yes 420
No 306

Chris Palermo 508
Theresa Norell 498
Anne Erickson 488

By CHRISTIAN MANAHAN
Staff Writer

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – Voters here approved both the local school budget and a $1 million bond referendum for maintenance and facility improvements to the district’s three schools Tuesday, April 15, according to unofficial election results.

The voter-approved $44.63 million spending plan carries no tax rate increase, maintaining a rate of 1.45 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Based on a $104,000 average home assessment in the municipality, the average taxpayer would expect to pay $1,508 to support the local schools next year.

A total of 733 residents came out to vote, with 409 voting to approve the budget and 324 voting against it. The vote on the bond referendum was 420-306.

The election results do not factor in absentee ballots, school officials said.

The budget will allow the district to hire five full-time teachers and a part-time preschool teacher, convert five part-time basic skills instructors into full-time positions, hire a full-time maintenance person and convert two-part time custodians into full-time positions.

The bond would allow the district to be more energy efficient by providing funds to install motion-sensor lights for classrooms at the George L. Hess Educational Complex and the Joseph C. Shaner Memorial Elementary School. 

In addition, the Hess School would be able to install a temperature regulation system that would allow the district’s building and grounds director to monitor the temperature in every classroom through a computer system.

In the uncontested school board race, Chris Palermo was the top vote-getter with 508 votes. Theresa Norell came in second with 498 votes, and newcomer Anne Erickson tallied 488 votes.

A reorganization meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 at the William Davies Middle School.