Bloomingdale Budget Defeated By Six Votes

Bloomingdale Public Schools' adopted $17.3 million budget was defeated by just six votes Wednesday, according to unofficial election results.

The borough's governing body will be able to examine the budget and make reductions as they see fit if the official results prove the defeat, according to the New Jersey School Board Association. If the school board does not agree with the reductions made by the governing body, the district can file an appeal.

Superintendent Fredda Rosenberg said Wednesday that while the budget was defeated, it is not yet definitive, as the votes will need to be recounted and absentee votes considered.

"We will just do what we have to do," she said if it turns out that the budget is defeated.

By 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the polls were light. The biggest turnout had been earlier in the day, according to election workers .

In District 1, Cassandra Toedtmann was accompanied by her son, Scott, who goes to . She was hoping the budget would pass this year. “I voted for the budget. I vote for it every year. After it failed last year, we had a few cuts that initially took away the middle school basketball team and the Chat program,” she said

Marie Reese and her sister, Susan, said they voted for the budget, but had no comment on the candidates.

Marie said, “There’s nothing more important than the education of our future and those who do the educating. Governor Christie should take a look at his own finances before he criticizes that of our public workers."

Elisa Kolenut came outside after voting and said she had heard it was busy during the day.

“I’m glad people came out to vote. I just wish there were more candidates running,” she said.

Incumbent Board Member was reelected to his seat with 461 votes. Michael Moeller, a write-in candidate, was also elected, and officials were counting the votes of another write-in candidate Wednesday night, but numbers were too close to call.

Michele Jones teaches special education in Montville, and coaches lacrosse, but lives in Bloomingdale.

“I’m a teacher. It’s my duty to be here. I’m here to support the teachers,” she said.