Result of Tuesday's Galloway Schools Referendum Remains the Same Following Tally of Provisional Ballots

Provisional ballots from Tuesday night, Dec. 13’s vote on the Galloway Township School District proposal have been counted, and there appears to be no change in the final result, according to an email from Galloway Township Superintendent of Schools Dr. Annette Giaquinto sent out on Thursday, Dec. 15.

The final tally was an 877-869 defeat of the proposal, a difference of eight votes. When votes were counted on Tuesday night, the proposal appeared to have been defeated by three votes, 821-818, indicating that 56 additional “no” votes were cast as opposed to 51 additional “yes” votes.

“As superintendent, I am quite disappointed in this outcome as are our board of education members and business administrator,” Giaquinto said in the email. “Options – including going out to referendum again in March – will be discussed at the Monday, December 19 Board of Education meeting.”

Giaquinto said the discussion would likely continue during January’s board meetings, and that she feels members of the community need to have a “greater awareness and better understanding of fiscal and facility issues.”

“Additionally, we need to increase the number of people who actually vote,” Giaquinto said. “All citizens are encouraged to attend board meetings and other informational events, visit our website for information, and contact us if you have questions or concerns. Educating our children in safe, well-maintained facilities remains a priority for this board of education and administration.”

Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the Board of Education held discussions at public board meetings, set up a table at Absegami High School’s presentation of “White Christmas” over the weekend, posted all the details on the district website and spreading the word to all the news outlets.

"The Board and administration used a multi-faceted approach to communicating with the public," Giaquinto said. "However, the results say we need to do more. Ideas will be discussed Monday night."

The question put before township voters concerned roof replacement at Smithville, Arthur Rann and Roland Rogers elementary schools, fire alarm replacement for Smithville, Roland Rogers and Reeds Road, and drainage system and parking lot improvements for Arthur Rann.

Residents with a home assessed at $100,000 would have seen a raise in taxes of $14.42 as a result of the $5.6 million project, and residents with a home assessed at $200,000 would have seen a raise in taxes of $28.84.