Ramsey Approves All-Day Kindergarten

RAMSEY, NJ — All-day kindergarten will expand to Ramsey after voters approved a plan Tuesday night to bring it to the last school district in Bergen County not to have it.

Unofficial vote totals for the $711,000 proposal show 2,330 "yes" votes cast compared to 1,378 "no" votes, according to a statement released by the Ramsey Public School District.

"Our staff is so excited to get started on detailed plans to bring this dream into reality," said Superintendent Matthew Murphy. "This improvement will help teachers meet a growing list of academic demands while still allowing time for social, emotional, and developmental skills that will service our youngest students well throughout their entire academic careers."

Results are unofficial until certified by the Bergen County Clerk's Office.

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The vote was part of a process that included residents last year approving a $42.9 million multifaceted plan to bring full-day kindergarten to Ramsey, the last school district in Bergen County to not have it.

The estimated tax impact to the plan was about $288 annually for the average homeowner. The new $711,000 initiative raises local taxes another $99.

Related: Ramsey Residents Approve $42.9M School Renovation Plan

Of the $42.9 million the district will bond for, taxpayers are responsible for about $32.5 million. The bond will be paid off in 2024. The remaining $10.4 million is in debt service to the state.

To bring full-day kindergarten to Ramsey, two elementary schools, Tisdale and Hubbard, must be renovated. Also for the initiative, visitor vestibules at Tisdale, Hubbard, Dater, and Smith schools will be installed. Video cameras linked to the local police will go in every school. Door locks will be upgraded and safety film applied to every first floor window and door.

One Patch user was not happy with the idea of being taxed more for full-day kindergarten.

"Ridiculous! When are they gonna stop with the taxes?" Robert Dercole said. "How about you tax families that need full-day kindergarten $1,000, not residents who have no children in the school system."

In related election news, four people ran for two seats on the municipal council and three people, Scott Kaufman, Jennifer Burns, and Anthony Socci, ran uncontested for three seats on the board of education.

The council election results are:

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com