Keyport BOE budget would hike tax rate by 2 cents BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer KEYPORT - The Board of Education held its public hearing on the 2008-09 budget calling for a tax rate increase of 2 cents per every $100 of property value. Keyport Board of Education Business Administrator Jo Ann Podracky presented the $17,999,781 budget on March 19. Last year's budget proposed a 9-cent tax rate increase that was defeated by a 25-vote margin. The eventual budget after revisions was 17,240,171, with a tax increase of 6 cents per $100, down fromthe proposed 9 cents. For the owner of a Keyport home with an estimated value of $129,000, the 2-cent increase translates to an additional $28 on their school tax bill, according to Podracky. The local tax levy is $8,145,192, which is down from $8,396,583, a 3 percent decrease. One of the key components of the budget, Podracky said, was setting aside approximately $250,000 in a reserve account for the anticipated cost to replace the Central School roof later this year. The roof replacement is expected to cost around $1 million. Other budget highlights, according to Podracky, are purchasing textbooks at $294 per pupil and new technology, which accounts for $525,698. The Board of Education will hold two budget meetings - on April 8 at Keyport High School and April 14 at the Central School- for additional public comment on the budget. Residents will vote on the school budget on April 16. Also to be voted on will be the four seats open on the Board of Education. Incumbents Joseph Biagianti, of Atlantic Street, Edward J. McNamara, of Maple Place, and Gregory Zakutansky, of Kearney Street, are running for three-year terms. They will be up against new candidates Sheila Bishop, of Center Street, and Carol A. Fox, of Church Street. Vying for a two-year term on the board will be PatriciaKnudsen, of Division Street, and Steven C. Reed, of Atlantic Street.