After rejecting three initiatives on November 5th to increase school spending some $13,300,000, the North Arlington Board of Education is now seeking a permanent, $10,000,000 school tax hike this Tuesday.
This is the fourth attempt to increase spending and taxes in the last month and this comes on the heels of a $7,000,000 acquisition of QPHS that would be transformed into a new middle school.
Click here for flyer touting new spending and taxes
Things have been quiet and forecasters predict a turnout of about 1,500 to 2,000 depending upon the weather as we enter the Christmas holidays.
Sources tell NA Today that a “whispering campaign” of sorts be district officials to motivate school-age parents is the objective while hoping seniors and empty nesters who make-up a majority of voters forget to vote or just stay home.
“The larger the turnout, the less likely this referendum will pass,” offered one school official when asked to comment.
“Mayor Dan Pronti and his all-Republican majority are for this referendum, but won’t actively lead the fight for passage. That is being left to local school officials. The hard reality is that if this referendum passes NA homeowners will be hit initially with a $114 tax hike that is permanent, but more will be forthcoming. Nobody wants to take responsibility for a $10,000,000 tax hike.”
“This school board spent $7,000,000 with no voter approval; now want an additional $10,000,000 in new spending. Have they made a case for this kind of outlays and expenditures? We will find out this Tuesday.”
For more information on where to vote, contact the Borough Clerk at (201) 991-6060.
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