Stinging Editorial From the APP

[admin]

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/COMMUNITY/803130450/1285/LOCAL09

Board rush to hire 11 questioned

The Freehold School District's 2008-09 budget calls for cutting the librarian's post and adding 11 positions. If that is the Board of Education's idea of fiscal restraint, it should redo the math. The loss of the librarian and the addition of 11 new positions equal a net gain of 10 new employees, a disturbing proposal in the current economic climate.

The $1.5 million the district expects in state aid under the new funding formula is part of the $19.6 million budget. But just because Freehold is one of only seven districts in Monmouth County to get a 20 percent hike in state aid, while the majority have to make do with 2 percent, doesn't mean the board should go on a hiring spree.

The spending plan calls for a 4 percent increase — the most the state allows — in the tax levy. But the state-mandated 4 percent cap is the maximum — not must-spend — figure. If school districts and municipalities across the state spend the maximum next year to achieve a higher base for the following year's calculation, they're flouting the intent of the limit — tax reduction. They're also courting a voter revolt at the polls.

In Freehold, a budget defeat in the April school election, similar to last year's rejection, could give the Borough Council and state commissioner of education a crack at trimming the budget and possibly force the board to rethink the 11 new hires. But the board passed the budget at its March 3 meeting despite pleas from parents to keep the librarian. School Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell said eliminating the librarian position was "based on what the district needs." But Linda McCarthy, president of the Freehold Borough Education Association, called the cut "appalling," saying it was "bad enough when we went down to one (librarian) for the three schools" in the pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade district.

The proposed 11 hires include a music teacher, an art teacher, a second-grade teacher, a fourth-grade teacher, two instructional aides, a bilingual literacy teacher for the kindergarten and first grades, a resource inclusion teacher (to work with mainstreamed special education students), a bilingual learning disabilities teacher, a computer technician and a clerical assistant for the Buildings and Grounds Department.

Some of those positions were lost in previous years and are being restored, but the number still seems excessive, especially when one job is being eliminated. And Freehold's large Hispanic population — part of them illegal immigrants — is reflected in the need for the bilingual positions. The lack of federal will to enforce existing immigration laws further strains school budgets, and the costs filter down to the taxpayers.

Board members believe the rush to boost school staffing — after sharp cuts in personnel last year — is justified. But they will have to wait until April 15 to find out if the voters agree.

[adefonzo]

This is one of those times where I have to make very clear, what I am saying is in no way the opinions of the Freehold Boro BOE or the District itself. These are my opinions as a resident of Freehold Boro.

The heading for this thread is very accurate, it is a stinging editorial. Despite the fact that this phrase is used far too often, the fact of the matter remains that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

First, I have to wonder, since there is no name placed with this editorial, if this is written by someone who has followed the schools closely by attending meetings, and asking questions of district administrators and BOE members, or is it written by someone who just knows what they read in the papers.

Honestly, I had to laugh when the author made reference to the district's bringing back and hiring new positions as a "hiring spree". I wonder if this person was happier last year when the district was eliminating at least as many positions?

Yes, Freehold Boro has been fortunate enough to be one of the districts that will receive the maximum increase in state aid this year, 20% or roughly $1.4 -1.5 million. However, there are also some things the state has done to push more of the financial burden on individual districts...most notably, districts are now solely responsible for 100% of pensions of all non-teaching positions in the school. Health insurance rates, as they do every year, are going up, as are all other expenses, so this extra money doesn't go as far as you would like to see it go.

What many people forget to realize is that this district, along with just about every other district in the state, has been flat funded for the past 6 years...that means they've had the same amount of money to spend for 6 years!!! Imagine if you were making the same salary as you were 6 years ago...would things be a little tight???

Add to that the fact that enrollment has not slowed down or flattened out with this, which means the need for more specialized and more expensive programs to meet particular students needs have increased. And of course the list of state mandates (which certainly are not free) in no way flattened out during this time. This district has jumped through hoops in order to hold together with scotch tape and band aids, three schools that could easily have fallen into oblivion. In my own opinion, the district is lucky to be able to afford to bring back positions that it had to eliminate last year and start to address issues and positions that it could have used 6+ years ago!!

Despite all that, believe me, I understand, no one wants to see their taxes go up...myself absolutely and 100% included. But as I have said time and again, we never get to vote on municipal, county, state, or federal budgets (all of which raise our taxes as well)...so where do we always seem to direct our anger? At the schools. "Certainly we could do a better job of running the schools than these people who are there now" "They don't need to do this, or do that...instead they should do something like this..." We've all heard it a thousand times. But I ask you...instead of barking to your neighbors, complaining on a blog site, or writing to the newspapers...how many actually come down to BOE meetings to voice their concerns? How many who have much better ideas of how to run the schools ever step up and run for a BOE position? Let me help you with the answer...virtually no one

Well, let me now throw some salt in everyone's wounds...according to the New Jersey School Boards Association, there is a movement in Trenton to eliminate public votes on school budgets that do not exceed the cap on the local tax levy. New Jersey is only one of apparently 9 states that still have local votes on school budgets...and it may not last much longer.

There was another aspect to this editorial, and I want to make sure to mention a couple of things that I am hoping are not getting lost in all this talk about eliminating the librarian position. The current budget, as proposed thus far, eliminates the position, not the person. Also, the budget still has to be officially passed at the March 20th meeting coming up this week. The meeting on the 3rd was the BOE approving the tentative budget which had to be submitted to the County Superintendent by a certain date. There is the opportunity, if the district administrators and BOE deem it necessary, to have changes made to this tentative budget before final approval on the 20th.

Do I want to see the librarian position eliminated...absolutely not. But I personally am holding out hope that we will be able to find a way to still include it in next years budget...though I make no assumptions or promises to that end.

The BOE is your representation...get in touch with them...speak to them...tell them what your thoughts are...but be willing to hear what they have to say in return. There is a public hearing this coming Thursday, March 20th at 7pm in the Park Ave School Cafetorium on the budget, and it's final approval...come out and voice your opinions there. We had quite a turnout for the meeting on the 3rd, but let's be honest, the room was filled 80% with teachers and maybe 20% with parents and residents from the town. Come out on the 20th and turn that ratio around. It's not the teachers who's taxes are going to be going up because of this, its yours. It's your children who are going to be effected by this budget. Show up and show that you care.

I'm sure there will be some who will find this post irritating, arrogant, foolish, selfish, or just plain stupid. And if you want to say that I am "throwing down the gauntlet", fine...but for cryin' out loud show up and voice your opinion...everyone is entitled to theirs.

[admin]

Andrew wrote:

First, I have to wonder, since there is no name placed with this editorial, if this is written by someone who has followed the schools closely by attending meetings, and asking questions of district administrators and BOE members, or is it written by someone who just knows what they read in the papers.

This was written by the paper editors, not a reader writing a letter. In other words, they do not just read the papers, they write them! That is why this editorial was such a stinger.

I found this in print in the community version that comes in the mail, not the regular paper.

Despite all that, believe me, I understand, no one wants to see their taxes go up...myself absolutely and 100% included. But as I have said time and again, we never get to vote on municipal, county, state, or federal budgets (all of which raise our taxes as well)...so where do we always seem to direct our anger? At the schools. "Certainly we could do a better job of running the schools than these people who are there now" "They don't need to do this, or do that...instead they should do something like this..." We've all heard it a thousand times. But I ask you...instead of barking to your neighbors, complaining on a blog site, or writing to the newspapers...how many actually come down to BOE meetings to voice their concerns? How many who have much better ideas of how to run the schools ever step up and run for a BOE position? Let me help you with the answer...virtually no one


People direct their anger at the schools because it is the biggest part of a property tax bill. It stands out above all others. Remember, the remainder of our bill is municipal and county tax. Both of those cover a very wide range of services. Schools are VERY important, but it is not roads, garbage services, parks libraries, social services etc. that are taking up the lions share of our property taxes. Especially people who do not have kids in the schools will be very critical of that share of the tax bill.

We may not vote on other budgets, but we do get to vote on referendums that may raise our taxes. The difference is that those votes get respected. When the schools get shot down, it goes through anyway, at least as far as the budget is concerned. In the end the voters do not get a say when you think about it. In the case of our town, that is a good thing for the schools. A large percentage of parents cannot vote due to their residency status in our country. If more parents could vote, the schools could rest easier knowing they had more support.

[novillero]

Jeffham "on fire" once again this morning! Bilingual educators probably stood out to most here. But I did not pick up on the "clerical assistant for the Buildings and Grounds Department" or as Jeffham put it, "secretary for the janitor and custodians." There has to be more to this story, but it is an interesting observation.


I make one response to Mr. DeFonzo... many people - especially in this town - are working without increases in their pay... and everyone is affected by the higher prices on everyday products... and we are making due with what we have.

I know what my vote is, and I will not vote "yes" anymore until the bilingual educators are tossed from the train. I know that these kids, American citizens from what many people tell me, are smart enough to learn the english language the old fashioned way - simple immersion in the language. Let's just do it. They'll be a lot better for it.

Get rid of them and bring back at least one librarian.

[admin]

novillero said:

Jeffham "on fire" once again this morning! Bilingual educators probably stood out to most here. But I did not pick up on the "clerical assistant for the Buildings and Grounds Department" or as Jeffham put it, "secretary for the janitor and custodians." There has to be more to this story, but it is an interesting observation.


I make one response to Mr. DeFonzo... many people - especially in this town - are working without increases in their pay... and everyone is affected by the higher prices on everyday products... and we are making due with what we have.

I know what my vote is, and I will not vote "yes" anymore until the bilingual educators are tossed from the train. I know that these kids, American citizens from what many people tell me, are smart enough to learn the English language the old fashioned way - simple immersion in the language. Let's just do it. They'll be a lot better for it.

Get rid of them and bring back at least one librarian.

I think the bi lingual ed is a topic the schools have little choice in due to mandates.

Jeff's little blurb backs up what I have written before, the schools are going to have a tough sell in the future. With pending state aid increases as twenty percent, the sale of the police station, a tough economy, and not enough eligible voters with kids in the school all add up to a very tough uphill battle for the BOE. They will have to justify everything they ask for. That will not be easy.

I feel bad for the BOE and the schools. So much of it is not their fault. Schools are important, very important, to a town. One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Maplewood last year was just how important schools are. One woman, who's name eludes me, flat out said that when she looks at a town and tries to identify problems and needs, she looks at the schools first. That is very true.

I will make a prediction. I am not sure about our state at this point in time, but in other states immigrants, who are not yet citizens, can vote in local school elections. I will bet that this will be a hot topic in the near future. This will come about around the same time we start seeing any sort of amnesty for the current immigrants who are illegal. I will bet that the schools will lead the charge out of sheer desperation for some sort of support.

As the saying goes, we will wait and see......