VOTE NO!

[admin]

Yes, I know another thread where I fully expect some people will want my head, again. But some things need to be said. I again, write this with all due respect to the BOE and all those who are trying to better our schools.

I know that we want good schools. Even people like me who have no children understand that. But, we all know the answers lie in Trenton. The real vote for the schools is in November, when we vote out the creeps who are more afraid of their cronies in Newark than they are concerned about their constituents. They are the ones who are failing us.

Take a good look at what Karcher and Panter are doing. Anything but what they should be doing. They take our votes in the Democrat heavy Borough for granted. They offer solutions that are not long term in the high hopes of us voting in a new budget. But where will we be then? Same place with no long term solutions.


I am leaving Beck out of this thread for now. She will need to be watched as well. She is not off the hook.

Back to Karcher and Panter. Bake sales will not save us, even at 10,000 dollars per Karcher cake.

Blaming the Freeholders is cheap, partisan politics.

They need to challenge the Abbot funding--NOW!! Panter getting us a shot in the arm is not enough. We need long term solutions that will take the future into account. That answer will only come from Trenton.

DO NOT VOTE YES! They are counting on us losing patience and giving in.


New Jersey needs to change it's formula and sources of funding. What we have now is nothing short of class warfare. As I said, I support schools, but, I am paying way too much for a service that I do not use. Senior Citizens are. Private school parents are. Parents who home school are. Single people are. The list goes on. When do we get relief?

I want someone to answer a question for me and the other groups I mentioned. How much are we supposed to allow the government to steal from us before enough is enough? At what point am I finally being taxed too much to support other people's children? I believe my taxes are well past that point, and yet, more is needed. And that tax increase we are supposed to vote on will still not be enough.

Think about it. Our tax bill is broken down into three basic sections. Fifty two percent goes to public education alone! The remainder is divided between municipal and county governments, both of which are providing a large number of services. This is not balance. This is obscene.

All of you who vote yes to have your taxes increased are only causing more resentment and sending the message to Trenton that all is well and we are all just so happy.


Beyond that, vote out Panter and Karcher. Let them know what we think of a karcher cake bake sale to save our schools.

Make sure they do not take the Democrat district, Freehold Borough, for granted. That is what is happening.

We need the state to also let up on the unfunded mandates. We need the over regulation to cease and desist. Our town is not alone in this pain.

[admin]

As an addition to the above, I am offering an open challenge to the elected leaders in our town.


I dare each and every one of you to shed your party affiliation. Many of you have stated that party plays very little role in town government. Prove it. Become independents.

From Mayor Wilson to the council on down, send the message to Trenton. The Democrats are failing us. Show us that you are one of us and not one of them.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

"Think about it. Our tax bill is broken down into three basic sections. Fifty two percent goes to public education alone! The remainder is divided between municipal and county governments, both of which are providing a large number of services. This is not balance. This is obscene. "

Interestingly the 52% is one of the smallest contribution any municipality makes to schools in the county! The county wide average Municipal contribution is 60%, most of our surrounding communities contribute mid 60% to high 70% of the collected rateable to the schools, so one might say that the Boro schools are underfunded by both Trenton and the Boro....

[admin]

fiberisgoodforyou said:

"Think about it. Our tax bill is broken down into three basic sections. Fifty two percent goes to public education alone! The remainder is divided between municipal and county governments, both of which are providing a large number of services. This is not balance. This is obscene. "

Interestingly the 52% is one of the smallest contribution any municipality makes to schools in the county! The county wide average Municipal contribution is 60%, most of our surrounding communities contribute mid 60% to high 70% of the collected rateable to the schools, so one might say that the Boro schools are underfunded by both Trenton and the Boro....

You just backed up everything I wrote. The problem is in Trenton. And, our surrounding communities are wealthier than we are. It is predictable that a working class town like this will feel the pinch a lot quicker.

i have been meaning to keep up with articles about other town having problems. This class warfare system is breaking down. We are just making more noise than most....for now.

Remember when uber-rich Marlboro could not afford to hear their schools?

It is time to wake up now, we are not in Kansas anymore.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

admin said:

You just backed up everything I wrote. The problem is in Trenton. And, our surrounding communities are wealthier than we are. It is predictable that a working class town like this will feel the pinch a lot quicker.
Remember when uber-rich Marlboro could not afford to hear their schools?

It is time to wake up now, we are not in Kansas anymore.

You failed to get my point, I am referring to the size of the slice of the Pie that goes to schools, which is not exactly the same as the wealth of the community, in fact quite the opposite. In a wealthy community the slice can be smaller to fund the schools, so you just help ME MAKE MY POINT! Its the funding formula from the state and the Boro that needs to be redressed, and the raw numbers gives clear evidence!
We are under funded by both the state and the Boro! If the Town ship collected almost $110 million from Prop Tax (2006) and provides almost $80 Million in total to regional and local, that contribution is a healthy mid 70% of the ratable.

The Boro collected $21.1 Mil, and gave $11.27 Mil to both the local and regional schools. This is LESS THAN 50% of the Pie. SO the boro has lower ratable and less of a contribution from the municipality, and remember the average municipal contribution in the county is 60%.

Just makes you wonder.....about priorities .... and where our children's education fits into the equation (less than 50%). DOes this mean that our boro values education 10% less that the county average, of that the Boro Values Education 25% less than the Township?

Frankly if the education system here gets worse, so will the property values, the ratables and the tax collection. This seems to be all going in the wrong direction.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Just for arguments sake,

...the ramifications of voting the budget down. Remember the $1 million that the BOE needed to borrow last year to pay salaries, expenses, etc. when the budget was defeated and sent through the bureaucracy to be overturned anyway? And the subsequent $40,000.00 interest charge the tax payers accrued?

[Hawkeye]

fiberisgoodforyou said:

admin said:

You just backed up everything I wrote. The problem is in Trenton. And, our surrounding communities are wealthier than we are. It is predictable that a working class town like this will feel the pinch a lot quicker.
Remember when uber-rich Marlboro could not afford to hear their schools?

It is time to wake up now, we are not in Kansas anymore.

You failed to get my point, I am referring to the size of the slice of the Pie that goes to schools, which is not exactly the same as the wealth of the community, in fact quite the opposite. In a wealthy community the slice can be smaller to fund the schools, so you just help ME MAKE MY POINT! Its the funding formula from the state and the Boro that needs to be redressed, and the raw numbers gives clear evidence!
We are under funded by both the state and the Boro! If the Town ship collected almost $110 million from Prop Tax (2006) and provides almost $80 Million in total to regional and local, that contribution is a healthy mid 70% of the ratable.

The Boro collected $21.1 Mil, and gave $11.27 Mil to both the local and regional schools. This is LESS THAN 50% of the Pie. SO the boro has lower ratable and less of a contribution from the municipality, and remember the average municipal contribution in the county is 60%.

Just makes you wonder.....about priorities .... and where our children's education fits into the equation (less than 50%). DOes this mean that our boro values education 10% less that the county average, of that the Boro Values Education 25% less than the Township?

Frankly if the education system here gets worse, so will the property values, the ratables and the tax collection. This seems to be all going in the wrong direction.

Yea, real smart thinking. Everybody else is screwed up so you want to follow??? You are a nut. Why don't you run for office. I bet Trenton would love you. Or better yet, go to Washington.

I am voting no with Brian.

I am going to jump off the Brooklyine bridge. Anybody want to come?

[Hawkeye]

fiberisgoodforyou said:

Just for arguments sake,

...the ramifications of voting the budget down. Remember the $1 million that the BOE needed to borrow last year to pay salaries, expenses, etc. when the budget was defeated and sent through the bureaucracy to be overturned anyway? And the subsequent $40,000.00 interest charge the tax payers accrued?

For arguements sake... I am selling my house to a landlord. You just lost another home owner. I will bet my current house will be packed with new kids for you to pay for. Enjoy, Idiots!

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Hawkeye, Take a chill pill, your spelling tells me you have been edgemhacated in an Abbott District!

You make my case stronger (Gheezzz and I thought my spelling sucks).

But welcom to the board, and stimulating debate, I wish more folks with strong feelings on both sides would chime in here!

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Hawkeye said:

I am voting no with Brian.

I am going to jump off the Brooklyine bridge. Anybody want to come?

Your Voting with NO Brain? Huuaaa?

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Ohh Hawk, so sorry, must have read your post wrong, your voting NO with Brian!!!

Slight differance.... (slight)

[admin]

The $40,000 comes to about an extra $5.00 or $6.00 per house hold per year. I'll pay that to assure that Trenton knows we do not approve of their work!

The states flat funding has placed us in this position, and the state must FIRST rectify this and prosecute everyone responsible for the Abbott ripoff before any citizen is asked to pay more for services!

A yes vote will send Commissioner Davey the message that as much as we disapprove the current funding, we will send an invalid consensus that we are willing to go on living with garbage. A vote yes will self give us imposed tax increase, and a Yes vote will send a message that we are willing send a consensus every year!

A yes vote will tell Panter Karcher and Beck that after its all said and done, we're OK with a self induced property tax increase to compensate for their lack of action.

This is why you should not be convinced that a YES vote is a good thing, FB should not be willing to give Commissioner Davey a Yes consciousness and give her with the notion that the Boro made their noise, got NOTHING, and is now content with the Current Funding.

Your YES vote will say we absolve the state from any further funding of FB Schools this year, Your Yes Vote says we are content with voluntarily reaching deeper into our pockets, pay more and get less services.

A Yes Vote says your OK with providing children with a LESS THAN, and well below the constitutionally guaranteed Through and Efficient education for our Boro Children

And once we issue a YES vote, and this unconstitutional Budget gets approved, Karcher, Panter, Beck will all go away!

After we Vote Yes, will Panter Karcher and Beck will NOT pay us any further attention. They will disappear till November and focus on bigger voting blocks like East Windsor.

[Informed Guest]

First of all, that $40K could pay for one of the teachers that is being let go. Second of all, voting NO and sending the school budget to the Commissioner will only result in her approving it as is OR adding back some of the staff that were eliminated due to the tax levy cap that was applied this year under the new legislation A1. It's been said that the district per pupil spending under the T&E model is much less than the minimum for the state so the Commissioner would be justified in adding back some staff, staff that will be funded with local tax dollars, not dollars from Trenton.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Informed said:

First of all, that $40K could pay for one of the teachers that is being let go. Second of all, voting NO and sending the school budget to the Commissioner will only result in her approving it as is OR adding back some of the staff that were eliminated due to the tax levy cap that was applied this year under the new legislation A1. It's been said that the district per pupil spending under the T&E model is much less than the minimum for the state so the Commissioner would be justified in adding back some staff, staff that will be funded with local tax dollars, not dollars from Trenton.

Is Trenton planing on sending us any money? If yes, then what are we floating a referendum for?

Again, the gov. just inked the 20% reduction in property tax, what make anyone think any money is coming Trenton?

Besides, in such a CRITICAL election year, would it be wise for the Davey to "Sock it to us"?

I lose sleep trying to decide best thing to do, Vote YES or NO?

You both make a good arguments.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Another thought, if there is a NO vote, there are 7 other districts below the T&E box, we should consider teaming with them and SUE the DOE for denying our children their constitutional right to a T&E education, and why this was not done in the last 10 months makes one wonder why not?

[angry gues]

fiberisgoodforyou said:

Another thought, if there is a NO vote, there are 7 other districts below the T&E box, we should consider teaming with them and SUE the DOE for denying our children their constitutional right to a T&E education, and why this was not done in the last 10 months makes one wonder why not?

Consider???!!!! You're starting to sound like the BOE...they've been "considering" taking leagal action for a couple of years now...when do our taxes get too high that we finally DO sue?

And when the BOE does not act as we the public wants them to act, they should be voted out of office too!!!

Politicians and state officials don't react to anything except bad press. We keep hearing from the BOE that we have to work with Karcher, Panter, Beck, Davy, etc etc....I say they have failed us long enough...the time to actually start the lawsuits, and stop considering them, is NOW!!!

[admin]

Informed said:

First of all, that $40K could pay for one of the teachers that is being let go. Second of all, voting NO and sending the school budget to the Commissioner will only result in her approving it as is OR adding back some of the staff that were eliminated due to the tax levy cap that was applied this year under the new legislation A1. It's been said that the district per pupil spending under the T&E model is much less than the minimum for the state so the Commissioner would be justified in adding back some staff, staff that will be funded with local tax dollars, not dollars from Trenton.

Guest,

I am not arguing with you. Your post shows just how hard this topic is. My question to you is, what will happen if we vote yes? The people who really need to make the changes we need will think they won. Next year we will be back to where we are now. And the year after that. What do we do now?

I also want to use your post to clear up something else. Admin, (Me) , caught bit of hell for this thread. I have to make clear that the opinions I express are my own and not that of a group consensus. I do intentionally throw out these opposing view points for balance. When I write a post like the one that started this thread, I fully expect and welcome readers to come back at me, swinging for the fences.

[L Davey]

60% of school budget votes failed last year. what did Trenton do...NOTHING!!!

The Bacon group of schools started suing the State in 1997, they spent $XXX,XXX are have gotten nowhere!!! The court said a new funding formula is coming, lets see what happens?

Why is it so hard to come up with a educational funding formula?How do they know it will cost a 1 BILLION $$$ if they do not have the formula yet?

The Real vote is in NOVEMBER!!! Wake up NJ!!! ;D

[for sale SIGNS]

angry said:

fiberisgoodforyou said:

Another thought, if there is a NO vote, there are 7 other districts below the T&E box, we should consider teaming with them and SUE the DOE for denying our children their constitutional right to a T&E education, and why this was not done in the last 10 months makes one wonder why not?

Consider???!!!! You're starting to sound like the BOE...they've been "considering" taking leagal action for a couple of years now...when do our taxes get too high that we finally DO sue?

And when the BOE does not act as we the public wants them to act, they should be voted out of office too!!!

Politicians and state officials don't react to anything except bad press. We keep hearing from the BOE that we have to work with Karcher, Panter, Beck, Davy, etc etc....I say they have failed us long enough...the time to actually start the lawsuits, and stop considering them, is NOW!!!

HERE, HERE... Vote YES to Recall the board, NO for the Unconstitutional School Budget!!! Where do I line up?

[angry guest]

One other note on what I mentioned before about the BOE talking about legal action for a couple of years now...

First...I am stating this second hand, as I was not at the meetings when the option was discussed, but the person who told me, I have known for years...and I belive what she says.

Apparently, whenever the BOE even mentions a lawsuit, it's always done with this tired voice, as if they are sick and tired of hearing the people ask them about it. Well, I'll tell you what...if the board really is considering this option...bring down your lawyer and have him explain where you are in your "considering". I am sure if I looked through the schools budget, there's a nice sum in there for the district's lawyer...put the guy to work!!!

What's more, I've been told that one board member in particular, who apparently has some knowledge of the legal system, continues to play down this option because of the amount of time the legal system takes to deliver a decision...funny, a lawyer complaining about how long the profession he is in takes to decide on something...must be why he fits in so well on the BOE???!!!! I wonder if he'll offer his pro bono services to illegal immigrant families from outside of town sending their kids to our schools if the district ever tracks them down and expells them??? Stay tuned on that one....

My question then becomes, is the board waiting for a time when the legal system is acting faster?? If this case was filed several years ago, when the state started with all of this funding nonsense, they would be that much closer to a resolution now...but instead, here we are...what...5 years later? and they're still "waiting" and "considering".

I'll say it in every post I put on this site if need be...NO MORE WORDS....ACTION!!!!!!!

[fiberisgoodforyou]

angry said:

One other note on what I mentioned before about the BOE talking about legal action for a couple of years now...

First...I am stating this second hand, as I was not at the meetings when the option was discussed, but the person who told me, I have known for years...and I believe what she says.

Apparently, whenever the BOE even mentions a lawsuit, it's always done with this tired voice, as if they are sick and tired of hearing the people ask them about it. Well, I'll tell you what...if the board really is considering this option...bring down your lawyer and have him explain where you are in your "considering". I am sure if I looked through the schools budget, there's a nice sum in there for the district's lawyer...put the guy to work!!!

What's more, I've been told that one board member in particular, who apparently has some knowledge of the legal system, continues to play down this option because of the amount of time the legal system takes to deliver a decision...funny, a lawyer complaining about how long the profession he is in takes to decide on something...must be why he fits in so well on the BOE???!!!! I wonder if he'll offer his pro bono services to illegal immigrant families from outside of town sending their kids to our schools if the district ever tracks them down and expells them??? Stay tuned on that one....

My question then becomes, is the board waiting for a time when the legal system is acting faster?? If this case was filed several years ago, when the state started with all of this funding nonsense, they would be that much closer to a resolution now...but instead, here we are...what...5 years later? and they're still "waiting" and "considering".

I'll say it in every post I put on this site if need be...NO MORE WORDS....ACTION!!!!!!!

There was "Discretionary" money for the Dec Survey that proved NOTHING!

[fiberisgoodforyou]

angry said:

One other note on what I mentioned before about the BOE talking about legal action for a couple of years now...

First...I am stating this second hand, as I was not at the meetings when the option was discussed, but the person who told me, I have known for years...and I believe what she says.

Apparently, whenever the BOE even mentions a lawsuit, it's always done with this tired voice, as if they are sick and tired of hearing the people ask them about it. Well, I'll tell you what...if the board really is considering this option...bring down your lawyer and have him explain where you are in your "considering". I am sure if I looked through the schools budget, there's a nice sum in there for the district's lawyer...put the guy to work!!!

What's more, I've been told that one board member in particular, who apparently has some knowledge of the legal system, continues to play down this option because of the amount of time the legal system takes to deliver a decision...funny, a lawyer complaining about how long the profession he is in takes to decide on something...must be why he fits in so well on the BOE???!!!! I wonder if he'll offer his pro bono services to illegal immigrant families from outside of town sending their kids to our schools if the district ever tracks them down and expells them??? Stay tuned on that one....

My question then becomes, is the board waiting for a time when the legal system is acting faster?? If this case was filed several years ago, when the state started with all of this funding nonsense, they would be that much closer to a resolution now...but instead, here we are...what...5 years later? and they're still "waiting" and "considering".

I'll say it in every post I put on this site if need be...NO MORE WORDS....ACTION!!!!!!!

Angry Guest, please remember one Fact. There has NOT been stable leadership on the BOE for the last 4 Years! We have been through 4 Superintendents in the last several years, plus many of the board members are there for their first terms. We need to have a stable BOE that provides continuity, that can work with our Boro council too! My understanding is that The Mayor and Council do not interface well with the BOE. I also get the impression that since most of the council members have gone to ST. Rose, and NOT public schools, they do not value Public schools the same way you, me and every other other Monmouth County Municipality do, this my be why the Boro gives less than 50% of the revenue to our schools!

The Boro underfunding needs to be examined and questioned!

[MP]

Angry guest

Please come to a BOE meeting, and voice your concerns. Don't settle for second hand knowledge...The BOE had the BOE attorney come to a meeting last year to talk about a lawsuit. The Attorney said to wait and see what happens with the special session. Also, he told everyone about the Bacon case that was filed in 1997 and another case filed a few years ago by another town. They have gotten nowhere.

At the last BOE meeting is was stated the BOE is in contact with attorneys who were part of the Abbott lawsuits.

The BOE and BORO council have great working relationship and communication. If you were at the last Boro council meeting you would have heard the BOE President say this during Council public comments. This was not the case 5 years ago.

[angry guest]

MP said:

Angry guest

Please come to a BOE meeting, and voice your concerns. Don't settle for second hand knowledge...The BOE had the BOE attorney come to a meeting last year to talk about a lawsuit. The Attorney said to wait and see what happens with the special session. Also, he told everyone about the Bacon case that was filed in 1997 and another case filed a few years ago by another town. They have gotten nowhere.

At the last BOE meeting is was stated the BOE is in contact with attorneys who were part of the Abbott lawsuits.

The BOE and BORO council have great working relationship and communication. If you were at the last Boro council meeting you would have heard the BOE President say this during Council public comments. This was not the case 5 years ago.

Unfortunately, in my line of work, my days don't tend to end until 9-10pm, which is why I am not able to get to BOE meetings, Town Council meetings, or any other meetings for that matter.

Let's see...first you talk about the BOE had their attorney down last year...exactly!!! LAST YEAR. And what was that he said??? Oh yeah, as you mentioned, their going "to wait and see what happens with the special session." Well, the special session came and went...I don't remember anything earth shattering coming out of that, do you? So what have they done since then? Ah yes...more waiting. Meanwhile, the schools continue to suffer...and as we can all see just from posts on this site, I do mean SUFFER.

You say "The BOE and BORO council have great working relationship and communication"...so I guess the BOE has forgiven the Boro Council and Mayor Wilson for allowing the rug mill to participate in their PILOT program? Are the schools getting any money from the PILOT money going to the town? How many more kids, on top of the illegal immigrants kids, are coming from there, another source of potential tax income lost thanks to our friends at Boro Hall?

I still have the flyer where the Council said that the rug mill would have "no impact" on the local schools...is that really the case?

Sounds to me like the BOE is trying to appease yet another group of people who are doing nothing for them...

As for Fiber's comments...fine, I'll give the new board members a chance before I start calling for their heads, but I'm sure there are a few members who have been there for a few years at least...what's the excuse for them? Can I at least get angry with the ones who have been there all along and sat still while the schools went into a tailspin?

Getting back to you, MP guest, what's the point of coming down to a school board meeting and voicing my opinion, even if I were able? From what I hear, the board has heard these things time and time again, but continue to fail to get anything done. How long do you want to continue to talk to them about it? Until the schools have to close their doors because they can't afford the electric bill anymore?


Once again...Action, not words.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

angry said:

I still have the flyer where the Council said that the rug mill would have "no impact" on the local schools...is that really the case?

As for Fiber's comments...fine, I'll give the new board members a chance before I start calling for their heads, but I'm sure there are a few members who have been there for a few years at least...what's the excuse for them? Can I at least get angry with the ones who have been there all along and sat still while the schools went into a tailspin?

Once again...Action, not words .

I agree with you about holding the "Longer Term" board members to their commitment to "We the Voters", and again if your suggetsing a recall of a Board member or two, then take action!

... you are concerned and a have a vested interest in fixing whats wrong here! You ARE ready for community activism to make real change! Why not join this board to start, Please become a member here! This will your start! Just because you can't make BOE meetings dosen't mean you shouldn't be heard. You will be heard! And you will encourage more like minded folks to write, not just READ (and you know who you are! )

You can vote Yes, and you can vote No for this school budget, but after April 17th, there is much, much more to fight for both at the School Board as well as at our Boro Councill!

And belive me, this board is being read by many of your elected officals too! You are being noticed here.

[Happy Guest]

Angry

Looks like all you have is Angry Words... and No action...to busy to contribute, but not to busy to criticize. Welcome ;D

[IG]

Angry Guest

I know you are busy but see some info below. This suit was filed by about 16 school in 1997, look where it got them...I wonder how much they spent on legal bills to get No Where...

Besides sueing the State what other constuctive ideas do you have to contibute, if you have the time... ;D


June 15, 2006
Davy: Hold off on Bacon Case Until Funding is Resolved


Further action on a major school funding case should be postponed, pending review of New Jersey’s school finance system by the Administration and the Legislature, according to a May 26 report from the acting commissioner of education.

Lucille E. Davy, acting commissioner, recommended that the state Board of Education postpone its deadline for completing an analysis of the impact of New Jersey’s current funding formula on a group of poor, mostly rural school districts. The required analysis was part of the state board’s January decision regarding Bacon, et al. vs. New Jersey Department of Education.

That decision also directed the commissioner to analyze, and to develop changes to the state’s current school funding system as it applies to all school districts, and to complete an assessment of financial and educational needs in several districts involved in the case.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704070361

In-lieu taxes off the mark
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 04/7/07

Two state lawmakers want the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders to begin making in-lieu tax payments to the K-8 Freehold School District to compensate for the tax-exempt county properties in Freehold, the county seat. The freeholders should waste no time in telling them to go away.

State Sen. Ellen D. Karcher and Assemblyman Michael J. Panter Jr., both D-Monmouth, made the request in response to a recently adopted Freehold school budget that, despite a 7 percent increase in spending and a 12 percent increase in state aid, will require cuts in staff and programs.

Art, drama, math, music and sports programs as well as library services will be among the casualties if the public approves the budget April 17. Passage will increase the local school purposes portion of the tax rate 11 percent over 2006-07 — $191 a year more for a home assessed at the district average.

Karcher and Panter say the county government's tax-exempt properties are denying the district ratables that could generate $500,000 to $700,000 a year in tax revenue. Those numbers are debatable. What isn't is the value of having county government, and the myriad services and businesses it attracts, in Freehold. It's an economic engine. It's doubtful the benefit of removing those buildings from the tax rolls would come close to matching the spinoff revenues their presence brings.

Equally important, as Panter's and Karcher's Republican opponents have pointed out, if you begin making in-lieu payments to Freehold, it won't be long before other municipalities hosting county facilities, parks, golf courses and other properties — and there are a bunch of them — start lining up with their hands out.

Rather than wasting their time on an in-lieu proposal that is neither sensible nor prudent, Karcher and Panter — both members of the Democratic majority in Trenton — should be working overtime to address the reasons Freehold is facing staff reductions and program cuts: an inequitable school funding formula that penalizes suburbs, unaffordable employee salaries and benefits, and an influx of immigrants — many of them illegal — that have strained district resources.

[Angered Parent]

I have learned that the schools get nothing, zilch, nada from the PILOT on the Rug Mill. How many children from the Rug Mill are we, the taxpayers, forking over money to education? What is the Council doing with that money? Has the BOE even asked them for any of it? Why doesn't the BOE step up to the plate in this regard?

By the way, that Rug Mill has been ongoing for at least five years. People are starting to pay attention *now*? Lo and behold.

[Informed Guest]

I find it hard to understand how anyone can say that the BOE has just sat on its hands doing nothing. BOE Administrators and President met with DOE Commissioner Lucille Davy on March 9th. They met with the DOE County Superintendent and Business Administrator on March 7th. Prior to that they met with Senator Karcher and Assemblyman Panter and on a different night with Assemblywoman Beck. They orgainzed a Open Public Forum with all of the above mentioned officials on March 20th and attended an Assembly Budget Hearing where Commissioner Davy presented the DOE budget. That day they met with Assembly Budget Committe Chairman Greenwald, Assemblyman Shearer, and Assemblyman Malone. There were numerous media stories that mentioned the Freehold Borough Schools and the current struggles of the District.

The Bacon suit has gone no where and racked up legal fees by districts that really can't afford it. The BOE attorney is paid on an hourly rate, he is not on a retainer as with many larger districts. Would you prefer the District let go another teacher so that it could pursue a legal battle that will drag on for years with no results?

It's easy to sit in your home complaining about the current situation when you don't even take time to go to BOE meetings. The problems that are being faced are complicated ones with no easy answers. One sure thing is that voting NO will divert the BOE administration from the task of educating children under less than ideal circumstances and make them focus on dealing with a defeated budget at the Borough Council level and possibly at the Commissioner level. I think that BOE resources are better spent educating students than answering pages of questions and completing analytical spreadsheets that just come back with the fact that the district is underfunded. Voting NO will not get the attention that many think it will.