Berkeley School Tax Levy on the Line today

Voters will go to the polls today to decide whether to approve the Berkeley Township school district's tax levy and elect three people to the Board of Education.

 A property owner with a home assessed at the township average of $204,100 will see a tax rate decrease of 52 cents for the upcoming budget year. The school tax rate will be roughly 51.5 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation.

The budget also calls for employees to contribute 1.5 percent of their salaries for health care insurance premiums, and a four-day work week for district employees during the summer.

The amount to be raised by taxation will drop from last year's $26,681,262 to $26,512,541, according to budget figures provided by the district.

The proposed budget leaves 450,000 in the district's surplus account, along with $550,000 in capital reserves. That compares to last year's $620,250 in surplus and $550,000 in capital reserves.

The district will receive $1.8 million in state aid, down from the $3 million received in 2009, Venter said.

Six residents are running for the three available seats on the Board of Education in the four-school district.

, Roberts Avenue, is running for his first term. Fulcomer is running on a slate with i, Seagull Court, and , Sandalwood Drive. Former board member , Deal Avenue, is seeking his second term. Tuminaro is running with , Scott Drive. , Woodhaven Boulevard, is also seeking a board seat.

The polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m..

Incumbents Patrick Riley, Marlana Mastriano and Thomas Guarascio decided not to seek additional terms on the board.

For more information, check out the Berkeley Patch profiles on each candidate.