Post by admin on Mar 21, 2007 4:26:25 GMT -5
These parents did a good job. They were also well organized at the town hall meetingThis was on the front page, where it belonged
Moms tell legislators more money needed
Parents rally to save programs and staff in Freehold Borough
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff State Assemblyman Michael J. Panter (r) discusses school funding issues with a group of parents from Freehold Borough who had gathered outside Freehold High School on the afternoon of March 14 to rally support for the community's public schools.
Mothers are an endearing lot. They protect and nurture their children in a million ways, and just like any animal in the wild, when their little chicks are threatened - look out.
Right now a group of Freehold Borough moms are fighting what they perceive is dangerous to their children - a poorly funded school system that they say will leave their youngsters out in the cold.
These moms took their fears and concerns straight to Gov. Jon S. Corzine, state Sen. Ellen Karcher, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Michael J. Panter outside Freehold High School on the afternoon of March 14.
The elected officials were at Freehold High School, Broadway, for a luncheon after they had been to Marlboro High School for the ceremonial signing of a bill that created a state commission to study teenage driver safety.
After learning that Corzine would be stopping at the borough high school, the women seized the opportunity to address the school funding issue. They wanted their voices heard right then and there.
The mothers' passion for their children caused the legislators to stop and meet with them in front of the high school. Standing together, some with toddlers in tow, the group of about 15 people held up signs which made it clear they wanted changes in the school funding system that is expected to take away teachers and programs from the borough's school district in the 2007-08 school year.
Their signs said "Equal Opportunities for All Children" and "NCLB Not Working," referring to the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
While the legislators were inside the school having lunch, the women drew the attention of passing motorists who acknowledged them by honking their horns, waving and cheering them on.
"Several people even stopped to talk to us," said Debra Keelan, the wife of Board of Education President Jim Keelan. "One person actually asked us what we needed. We said we needed money and he reached into his pockets and was prepared to give us some."
The Freehold Borough Board of Education has proposed a $16.7 million budget for 2007-08. Administrators have said the borough's
per pupil spending is well below what the state says should be provided in order to deliver a thorough and efficient education.
Keelan did not get a chance to tell Corzine her concerns, as he was not present for the second round of discussion, but she did tell Panter, who spent a good deal of time speaking with the group.
Panter listened as the women spoke about their fears regarding their children's education in a town they do not want to leave.
"What can we do to get us into the box?" Keelan asked, making no effort to conceal her frustration at what she and others see as unfair to their children and their children's future. "We are going to be $900 below that (per pupil) box. It is our children's constitutional right to have this funding."
Panter said he spoke with parents almost every day about school funding and acknowledged that the borough school district is in dire need of additional funding. He spoke about Corzine's new school funding plan that would distribute school funds more equitably. The plan is expected to re-evaluate the state's 31 poorest school districts which receive the majority of their funding from the state. Freehold Borough is not one of those 31 poorest districts. The new school funding formula Panter spoke about is not expected to be implemented until the 2008-09 school year.
Keelan was not satisfied with that explanation.
"We can't wait until 2008-09. Our kids need this funding now," she told Panter.
Jean Vigeant has two children at the Park Avenue Elementary School. She said she came to "make some noise" about the inequitable school funding throughout the state.
"We are actually a microcosm of what is being represented all over the country," Vigeant said.
Kim Yow has a first-grader at the Freehold Learning Center elementary school. She said she did not realize how serious the problem was until she learned that teachers are being cut from the upcoming budget.
"This is what hurts us and our kids," Yow said. "It is not fair. Our kids will make it though school unprepared for the future. If we drag this out any longer it's going to be too late for our kids. This is a heartbreak for all of us. It's hard for our kids and it is hard for us to watch this."
Yow asked how Freehold's children will measure up against other pupils without having had the benefit of certain art or music programs.
"If a child excels in art or music how will they compete without proper instruction? And this funding will take away any potential for scholarships," she said.
Lia Prendergast has three daughters in borough schools.
"This is about not fully funding our school," she said. "I'd like to see the state government give Freehold Borough the money we're entitled to now. We are not asking for a new gym. We just want fair and equitable education for our kids."
Tina Murray said she does not want to move, but she sees many residents putting their homes up for sale. She said she thinks this is due, at least in part, to the overpopulation and the increased taxes in town.
Keelan said she believes the Freehold Regional High School District needs to start caring about the borough's public school situation.
"How could they allow one of their sending districts to fall through the cracks like this? Everyone needs to be as upset about this as we are," Keelan said.
In a conversation with Karcher, the senator also referred to Corzine's new school funding plan, which she said will be "child-driven rather than ZIP-code driven."
Karcher said she understood that the educational future of Freehold Borough children is at risk.
"If they don't have sports or art programs how will they compete with other schools? Other students will have an unfair advantage," she said.
The senator said she and Panter will write to the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders to try to enlist their support for the school district. The borough is the county seat and therefore has many properties that are tax exempt. Karcher said that lost tax amounts to between $600,000 and $700,000, which she said "would go a long way toward providing the $1 million the school district needs."
Karcher noted that the county government supports a vocational school district and helps to pay the way for those students who choose a vocational career.
The senator said she understands the situation in the borough and will do all she can to help.
"We will be shaking trousers to see if any money falls out," she concluded.
Last night, March 20, the Freehold Borough Board of Education hosted a forum with elected officials that was expected to focus on the borough's K-8 school district and its present financial situation.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0321/Front_Page/001.html
Moms tell legislators more money needed
Parents rally to save programs and staff in Freehold Borough
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff State Assemblyman Michael J. Panter (r) discusses school funding issues with a group of parents from Freehold Borough who had gathered outside Freehold High School on the afternoon of March 14 to rally support for the community's public schools.
Mothers are an endearing lot. They protect and nurture their children in a million ways, and just like any animal in the wild, when their little chicks are threatened - look out.
Right now a group of Freehold Borough moms are fighting what they perceive is dangerous to their children - a poorly funded school system that they say will leave their youngsters out in the cold.
These moms took their fears and concerns straight to Gov. Jon S. Corzine, state Sen. Ellen Karcher, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Michael J. Panter outside Freehold High School on the afternoon of March 14.
The elected officials were at Freehold High School, Broadway, for a luncheon after they had been to Marlboro High School for the ceremonial signing of a bill that created a state commission to study teenage driver safety.
After learning that Corzine would be stopping at the borough high school, the women seized the opportunity to address the school funding issue. They wanted their voices heard right then and there.
The mothers' passion for their children caused the legislators to stop and meet with them in front of the high school. Standing together, some with toddlers in tow, the group of about 15 people held up signs which made it clear they wanted changes in the school funding system that is expected to take away teachers and programs from the borough's school district in the 2007-08 school year.
Their signs said "Equal Opportunities for All Children" and "NCLB Not Working," referring to the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
While the legislators were inside the school having lunch, the women drew the attention of passing motorists who acknowledged them by honking their horns, waving and cheering them on.
"Several people even stopped to talk to us," said Debra Keelan, the wife of Board of Education President Jim Keelan. "One person actually asked us what we needed. We said we needed money and he reached into his pockets and was prepared to give us some."
The Freehold Borough Board of Education has proposed a $16.7 million budget for 2007-08. Administrators have said the borough's
per pupil spending is well below what the state says should be provided in order to deliver a thorough and efficient education.
Keelan did not get a chance to tell Corzine her concerns, as he was not present for the second round of discussion, but she did tell Panter, who spent a good deal of time speaking with the group.
Panter listened as the women spoke about their fears regarding their children's education in a town they do not want to leave.
"What can we do to get us into the box?" Keelan asked, making no effort to conceal her frustration at what she and others see as unfair to their children and their children's future. "We are going to be $900 below that (per pupil) box. It is our children's constitutional right to have this funding."
Panter said he spoke with parents almost every day about school funding and acknowledged that the borough school district is in dire need of additional funding. He spoke about Corzine's new school funding plan that would distribute school funds more equitably. The plan is expected to re-evaluate the state's 31 poorest school districts which receive the majority of their funding from the state. Freehold Borough is not one of those 31 poorest districts. The new school funding formula Panter spoke about is not expected to be implemented until the 2008-09 school year.
Keelan was not satisfied with that explanation.
"We can't wait until 2008-09. Our kids need this funding now," she told Panter.
Jean Vigeant has two children at the Park Avenue Elementary School. She said she came to "make some noise" about the inequitable school funding throughout the state.
"We are actually a microcosm of what is being represented all over the country," Vigeant said.
Kim Yow has a first-grader at the Freehold Learning Center elementary school. She said she did not realize how serious the problem was until she learned that teachers are being cut from the upcoming budget.
"This is what hurts us and our kids," Yow said. "It is not fair. Our kids will make it though school unprepared for the future. If we drag this out any longer it's going to be too late for our kids. This is a heartbreak for all of us. It's hard for our kids and it is hard for us to watch this."
Yow asked how Freehold's children will measure up against other pupils without having had the benefit of certain art or music programs.
"If a child excels in art or music how will they compete without proper instruction? And this funding will take away any potential for scholarships," she said.
Lia Prendergast has three daughters in borough schools.
"This is about not fully funding our school," she said. "I'd like to see the state government give Freehold Borough the money we're entitled to now. We are not asking for a new gym. We just want fair and equitable education for our kids."
Tina Murray said she does not want to move, but she sees many residents putting their homes up for sale. She said she thinks this is due, at least in part, to the overpopulation and the increased taxes in town.
Keelan said she believes the Freehold Regional High School District needs to start caring about the borough's public school situation.
"How could they allow one of their sending districts to fall through the cracks like this? Everyone needs to be as upset about this as we are," Keelan said.
In a conversation with Karcher, the senator also referred to Corzine's new school funding plan, which she said will be "child-driven rather than ZIP-code driven."
Karcher said she understood that the educational future of Freehold Borough children is at risk.
"If they don't have sports or art programs how will they compete with other schools? Other students will have an unfair advantage," she said.
The senator said she and Panter will write to the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders to try to enlist their support for the school district. The borough is the county seat and therefore has many properties that are tax exempt. Karcher said that lost tax amounts to between $600,000 and $700,000, which she said "would go a long way toward providing the $1 million the school district needs."
Karcher noted that the county government supports a vocational school district and helps to pay the way for those students who choose a vocational career.
The senator said she understands the situation in the borough and will do all she can to help.
"We will be shaking trousers to see if any money falls out," she concluded.
Last night, March 20, the Freehold Borough Board of Education hosted a forum with elected officials that was expected to focus on the borough's K-8 school district and its present financial situation.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0321/Front_Page/001.html