School Letter Mistakenly Mailed, Students Showcase Businesses This Week

Here is a sample of what we're working on this week for Wayne Patch.

Here is a sample of what you may find on Wayne Patch this week. A letter was inadvertently sent out by Wayne Public School District officials regarding a change to the weighting of college preparatory courses at Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley High Schools. Officials issued a letter stating that no change to the high school grading system would occur this school year. We’ll try and find out why the original letter was mailed. — Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Average Municipal Tax Bill To Increase $99

Town council approves $77.9 million budget, up from $76.5 million last year, 5-2. Average home is valued at $229,000.

The municipal portion of the average homeowner’s tax bill will increase $99 this year. The council approved the township’s 2012 $77.9 million municipal budget Wednesday, up $1.4 million from $76.5 million in 2011, a 2 percent increase. The budget includes a $58.9 million tax levy, the portion of the budget funded by local taxes, up from $56.7 million in 2011. The average home in Wayne is valued at $229,000. The council voted five to two to approve the budget. Councilmen Al Sadowski and Joseph Scuralli voted the budget down. Councilwoman Lonni Miller Ryan and Councilman Joseph Schweighardt were absent. “I’ve never voted for a tax increase because I don’t believe the tax burden can be expanded any further than it already has been,” Scuralli …

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Meet the Candidates

James Jimenez Understands the Importance of Asking Questions

At-large council candidate: 'I look at an agenda before a meting and ask questions beforehand so that I’m prepared to act.'

James Jimenez understands the importance of asking questions. Jimenez is currently an at-large councilman. He was selected to finish Lawrence Maron’s term when Maron was appointed to a superior court judgeship in July and had to resign his council seat. Jimenez’s term will be for four years. If he is not elected, his term will end on Election Day, Nov. 8. Jimenez served on the Board of Education for three years prior to his appointment. He said that experience has served him well during his time on the council. While on the board he would call Business Administrator Junita Petty on a weekly basis and ask her questions regarding the district’s finances. He often is in contact with township Administrator Neal Bellett. Jimenez is a certified …

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Council votes to cut $1.7 million from defeated tax levy

Parents, school officials and residents crowd the chamber to argue against the cuts.

Hundreds of residents and school district employees filled the council chamber Wednesday night to protest $1.7 million in cuts to the district’s tax levy for the 2010-2011 school year, claiming the budget reduction will hurt education in Wayne. The amount is less than 1.4 percent of the district’s $126.6 million tax levy. Voters rejected the original tax levy by approximately 100 votes in late April. According to state law, municipal governing bodies must review defeated tax levies and vote on how much should be cut. It was standing room only in the chamber as the council voted 5-1 in favor of the cut, with Joseph Scuralli casting the lone dissenting vote. Lonni Miller Ryan abstained from voting, and Councilmen Al Sadowski and Lawrence …

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