Montclair’s Vote to Hike Taxes for Schools Too Close to Call

A hotly contested election in Montclair, New Jersey, to increase taxes for the town’s cash-strapped public school system was too close to call as of Wednesday morning, according to county officials.

Montclair Public Schools’ board held a vote Tuesday asking residents to approve two tax hikes to reduce its school system’s nearly $18 million deficit. That included a one-time levy to generate $12.6 million to address the district’s overspending, as well as a permanent increase designed to raise an additional $5 million to tackle ongoing budget shortfalls.