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Residents press committee over school taxes, accuse school board of missteps at Lacey Township meeting
Summary
Multiple residents used the May 7 caucus meeting to criticize the Lacey Township School District and its budget process, citing large tax increases (a reported 9.9% last year and a 7.54% proposed increase this year) and calling for greater accountability and transparency from the school board.
Residents and organized critics pressed the Lacey Township Committee on May 7 about rising school taxes and the school board's handling of the budget, saying the increases threaten seniors and long-term residents.
A frequent speaker identified in the meeting as Bidnick, who described himself as leading a citizens group, criticized the school board and teachers' unions and said recent increases have been severe. "We sacrificed last year 10%...and it's gonna be even and they made cuts, and now it's even gonna be worse," Bidnick said, adding that a combined effect of a 9.9% increase last year and a 7.54% increase this year amounts to roughly a 17.5% tax increase for some homeowners.
Several other residents raised related concerns. Regina DeCenza, who said she spoke from Sunrise Beach, disputed a perception that many neighbors were selling homes and described continuity in housing turnover as limited; she also reported that the Municipal Utilities Authority maintained water pressure during the fire. Joe Branciford (Seabreeze) and others described community fundraising to support volunteer firefighters and warned that shifting policy or exemptions for specific groups could increase burdens on remaining taxpayers.
Mayor Kuratala and committee members said they oppose unfair funding formulas at the state level and called for greater accountability and transparency from the school district. Kuratala suggested steps the township can take to pressure for academic accountability and transparency, including posting regular updates about academic programs and exploring alternate revenue or communications strategies, but did not record a formal directive to the school board at the meeting.
No formal votes concerning school funding or district governance occurred at the caucus meeting. Public commenters urged the committee to advocate more forcefully on behalf of residents without school-age children, who several speakers said comprise a majority of households.
