School budget to be discussed at 3 meetings

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - The Board of Education is scheduled to hold a series of meetings on its proposed 2008-09 school budget at three district schools next month.

The meetings are being hosted by the Ocean Township Parent Teacher Association and are scheduled to take place on April 7 at theWayside SchoolAuditorium, April 8 at the Ocean Township Elementary School Cafeteria and April 9 at the Township of Ocean Intermediate School Cafetorium.

The meetings are all set to be held at 7:30 p.m. and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Pagano is planned to be in attendance to answer questions and concerns from residents regarding the proposed budget.

Taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on the spending plan at polls on Election Day April 15.

Three incumbent candidates and one challenger are vying for the three open seats on the nine-member Board of Education.

Incumbent candidates seeking office are Arthur Mahoney, of Oxford Drive; Janet Surmonte, of North Edgemere Drive; and James Wagner, of Lancaster Drive.

The incumbents will be facing newcomer Lesley Dorsett, of Lockwood Place, in the election.