Maplewood residents are apparently pressuring township officials who serve on the Board of School Estimate to pass the proposed $112 million school district budget on Monday night, declaring they do not mind the 3.98% tax hike -- the lowest in 20 years -- and don't want school services cut.

The eight-person BOSE - which includes Maplewood TC members Vic De Luca, Kathy Leventhal and Lester Lewis-Powder, must vote on the school spending plan for 2009-2010, and is likely to do so at tonight's second meeting. Several Maplewood officials had indicated concerns about the spending plan tax hike, wanting to cut it by as much as one percent during the first meeting on Wednesday.

But several township officials say the public has contacted them with urgency that nothing be cut from the plan, which could be forced to reduce teachers' slated for hire and increase some class sizes if cuts are made.

"We are being flooded with e-mails since [Wednesday] and every one I have gotten is positve about the budget," Leventhal said this weekend, noting some 40 notes and e-mails have reached her from residents who do not want the budget cut. "I'm not ready to say yet what I will do, but I do listen when the people write to me."

TC Member Fred Profeta, a former mayor and alternate BOSE member, also revealed heavy support for the budget from residents: "There are a lot of people who are writing in support of the budget, we are getting a lot of e-mail on both sides. I haven't made up my mind yet."

Ian Grodman, who is not on the TC but serves as chair of the Maplewood Township Democratic Committee, says he has heard overwhelming support for the budget from party members and others who have sought him out to lobby for their support: "Most people who have commented on the discussion are pleased with the budget the way it is. I have a hard time thinking there is anything really to cut there."

De Luca said he has not decided on how to vote.But he says the tax rate must be stable, noting Maplewood pays more than South Orange given its larger population and property values. "It is, overall for Maplewood taxpayers, $2.5 million more than last year. That is a lot of money. I am very concerned about the ultimate tax increase."

Schools Superintendent Brian Osborne said last week cuts to the proposed budget would likey come from a mix of delaying new programs in reading and math; putting off a new physical education teacher for middle schools; and dropping fourth and fifth grade enrichment classes .

But he also said elementary school class sizes might have to be increased if some of the dozen new teachers slated to be hired are not brought in.

The statute requires that five of the eight BOSE members vote to approve or disapprove the budget, with four coming from among the six municipal officals on the panel. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the baord offices on Academy Street.