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Post by admin on Mar 27, 2007 15:41:34 GMT -5
Yes, I know the title is harsh, as well as the idea of getting rid of the Borough schools. I just figured it is time for some real discussion about this idea. I know some readers will want my head for this one.
Before I go any further, I write all of this with all due respect to the BOE and others who are trying to do the best for our schools.
The papers have mentioned that Trenton is considering consolidation of services and towns through out the state. The schools systems are one of the major places being looked at. If this should happen, it is safe to assume that we would be a part of the Township schools system. This idea has a great deal of merit when we look at what is happening. Some people may argue that we would see a tax increase at first, but it appears that would be the long term solution. Right now at the Borough level all we are seeing is band aid approaches that will only help temporarily.
Starting with the obvious, we have to look at the negative impacts of illegal immigration. No sane person can say it has been good for this town. I am looking at this purely from the perspective of numbers and economics, not culture. This is an issue that we did not ask for. From the stand point of economics, illegal immigration is probably the biggest unfunded mandate that we have had to deal with. This is the fault of Washington and Trenton. Trenton can not get away with calling this just a Federal issue. Both capitals owe us for their negligence.
Another side that ties in with merging with surrounding towns is as follows. This part of Monmouth County is wealthy. To their credit, the illegal immigrants are trying to capitalize off of that. However, the surrounding towns, by exploiting and employing cheap labor, should absolutely be responsible for paying the costs that are not always spread out fairly. That should include the education of the children, most of whom were born here and are American citizens. In other words, it is time for the surrounding towns to pay their fair share.
If we were to merge, then our overcrowding problems could immediately be eased. Children from all walks of life could be integrated into class rooms with a more diverse population. That would be a win-win for all. The negative effects of illegal immigration would not be as evident if the responsibility were spread around. Again, this is about numbers and economics.
Beyond that, the recent schools survey showed that voters were concerned about unfunded mandates from Trenton and Washington. Unless these mandates can be eased, then we again find ourselves facing and uncertain future if we keep our schools to ourselves.
There was also the issue of flat funding from Trenton. This is a NJ wide problem, not exclusive to us in FB. Until we get a better way of funding the schools, we will continue to have the class warfare we have now. During the Town hall meeting, I was shocked and appalled at how many people were supporting more socialism. That is the system we have now and it is not working.
We do have to keep the Trenton gang's feet to the fire. They owe us some answers and actions. Not more dopey committees or feel good laws. A couple of them have been in office for a while, so there is no excuse as to why they have been ignoring us. Come November we will have to hold them all accountable. Big time.
We now face tax increases that will only temporarily help. We will still not have the room we need for ALL the children.
The above is just some thoughts. What do you think, readers?
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Mar 27, 2007 16:35:36 GMT -5
Abolishing Boro schools is silly! Consider these simple facts..
1 - its the states funding formulation that is broken, ABOLISH the ABBOTT'S, and hold the Abbott District administrators accountable, I mean every thing from firring to jail time! The Abbott's need to go, this program has proven to be a joke!
2 - Freehold Boro BOE has been managing to keep us floating on a shoe string, maybe Trenton needs to look closer at us to LEARN how Districts manage to do more with less! We are a model to learn from, not a disappointing failure that needs to fade into history!
3 - Merging districts will not happen, Administrators, teachers and school staffers are all paid at different scales, different contracts, different circumstances, and frankly there may be different needs from community to community. Home Rule is needed!
4 - There are SERVICE that need be consolidated by the county Superintendents office like, Trash removal, food services, office supplies, technology, Tele-communications, Internet, Data-Communications, Maintenance services, custodial services, text books, Sundries, standardized Software and Hardware, etc. This is were MILLIONS can and will be saved!
The Clowns in Trenton, who claim to be (successful) and from the business sector, must have lost their minds once elected to the assembly and senate, to wait until 2007, take NO action other than to appease the "Party Bosses" rather than their constituents!
5 - Funding reformulation needs to be re-engineered to the individual student, not 60% to Abbott, 40% to Every one else, and if you have a high property assessment the education cost-to-property value ratio is how the child's education is earmarked..THIS IS WRONG and Needs to change!
The formula should be 10K per student across the state PERIOD! If you have special needs, say ADD, fine that student gets an extra $1,500, if the child is profoundly def, blind or some other handicap, these children get and extra $XX... (arbitrary numbers but you get the picture). And this system get monitored and students are re-evaluated EVERY YEAR!
The goal is, the state issues very specific code, they need to held accountable for the feasibility too, the they are not, thus Freehold suffers! Sorry Abolishing schools and districts will not fix whats wrong!
Cleaning out Trenton this NOV will be a great start, lets face it, we are all about to hit rock bottom, when the best plan for raising revenue is to "SELL THE TRUNPIKE"... How UN-CLEVER!
I hate pandering politicians, It's tells me how little the think of you and me, like we are not intelligent, It was like listening to my my 7 years old trying to get over on me (Bunny stories)....I'd like to hear some honesty, I didn't hear honesty last week and EVERYONE in the Auditorium felt the same way!
The following regulations promulgated by the New Jersey State Board of Education form the basis for local policy development:
N.J.A.C.6A:8-1.1 (a) states that "The Core Curriculum Content Standards specify expectations in seven* academic content areas: the visual and performing arts, comprehensive health and physical education, language arts literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages
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Post by admin on Mar 27, 2007 16:58:04 GMT -5
Abolishing Boro schools is silly! Consider these simple facts.. 1 - its the states funding formulation that is broken, ABOLISH the ABBOTT'S, and hold the Abbott District administrators accountable, I mean every thing from firring to jail time! The Abbott's need to go, this program has proven to be a joke! 2 - Freehold Boro BOE has been managing to keep us floating on a shoe string, maybe Trenton needs to look closer at us to LEARN how Districts manage to do more with less! We are a model to learn from, not a disapointing failure that needs to fade into history! 3 - Merging districts will not happen, Administrators, teachers and school staffers are all paid at different scales, different contracts, different circumstances, and frankly there may be different needs from community to community. Home Rule is needed! 4 - There are SERVICE that need be consolidated by the county Superintendents office like, Trash removal, food services, office supplies, technology, Tele-communications, Internet, Data-Communications, Maintenance services, custodial services, text books, Sundries, standardized Software and Hardware, etc. This is were MILLIONS can and will be saved! 5 - Funding reformulation needs to be re-engineered to the individual student, not 60% to Abbott, 40% to Every one else, and if you have a high property assessment the education cost-to-property value ratio is how the child's education is earmarked..THIS IS WRONG and Needs to change! The formula should be 10K per student across the state PERIOD! If you have special needs, say ADD, fine that student gets an extra $1,500, if the child is profoundly def, blind or some other handicap, these children get and extra $XX... (arbitrary numbers but you get the picture). And this system get monitored and students are re-evaluated EVERY YEAR! The goal is, the state issues very specific code, they need to held accountable for the feasibility too, the they are not, thus Freehold suffers! Sorry Abolishing schools and districts will not fix whats wrong! The following regulations promulgated by the New Jersey State Board of Education form the basis for local policy development:
N.J.A.C.6A:8-1.1 (a) states that "The Core Curriculum Content Standards specify expectations in seven* academic content areas: the visual and performing arts, comprehensive health and physical education, language arts literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages Abolishing school districts is not silly. Your post backed me up. 1. I agree. Abolish Abbots. We can not do that though, the state has to work on it. Considering Trenton's record, do not count on it. 2. You found a good thing about our schools. We need more of that, but it is not enough in the big picture. 3. Merging districts will not happen? Why not. It can and in many cases should. The staff should not be a factor in this decision. The children and the future of the schools should be. This is an area where unions have failed due to their typical selfish nature. 4. Good start, but where will that savings go? To an abbot district. Your putting to much faith in the right things being done. If they were, we would not be where we are. 5. Right, but talk to Trenton. They are failing us. We have to look at we can do for ourselves. Consolidation is still better than the current funding. Yes, I am stirring it up here and playing devils advocate, Fiber. You still did not address the illegal immigration impact. Integrating the students in with the other districts would be best and the towns surrounding us should be picking up more of the tab. Similar to what Panter and others are saying about the County paying us for the loss of tax revenue from the county owned buildings. We have to put the burden where it lies. How about ideas such as having the parents pay a little something to offset the costs for non acedemic subjects and activities? Those who use a service should pay more. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Mar 27, 2007 18:25:34 GMT -5
"How about ideas such as having the parents pay a little something to offset the costs for non acedemic subjects and activities? Those who use a service should pay more."
Problem is only "RICH KIDS" get into Varsity sports, Music, Art, Performing Arts, and yes even Shop Class.
Sorry in a public school system, this is all part of the package.
And the state mandates this as well!
Immigrant kids we're stuck with until they move out of Freehold, a class action to sue the feds for causing this situation may be one avenue.
Frankly, considering the Abbott's records, again criminal charges must be brought up, and a major change in Trenton needs to happen. There needs to be aggressive oversight and accounting ASAP, there needs to be blood letting in these districts that spend $20K per student, and 20% graduate! This is not just shameful, it is SINFULLY WRONG! Remember that Abbott's are getting 60% of your edu tax dollars, were is the OUTRAGE?
A major push for shared and consolidated services is the easiest solution that will provide the quickest bounty. The savings gets spread out per student in the County District.
No Need to Consolidate FB schools, we're just at the bottom of the crap pile that needs to be redistributed, and I Guarantee you we will be in great shape without major tax levies!
Problem is we get a fuzzy stick after everyone else gets to lick our lolly first!
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Post by admin on Mar 28, 2007 4:14:01 GMT -5
You still have not offered solutions that we can do internally. Trenton is the problem and until we oust the current representatives, we are not going to get relief.
I am not suggesting that immigrant children move out a you are. They are here to stay ad they have to be educated. I am suggesting that they would be better off getting out of the Borough schools, which can be accomplished with abolishing our district.
Sorry, but the case for consolidation still stands strong.
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Post by richardkelsey on Mar 28, 2007 7:25:53 GMT -5
Yes, I know the title is harsh, as well as the idea of getting rid of the Borough schools. I just figured it is time for some real discussion about this idea. I know some readers will want my head for this one. Before I go any further, I write all of this with all due respect to the BOE and others who are trying to do the best for our schools. The papers have mentioned that Trenton is considering consolidation of services and towns through out the state. The schools systems are one of the major places being looked at. If this should happen, it is safe to assume that we would be a part of the Township schools system. This idea has a great deal of merit when we look at what is happening. Some people may argue that we would see a tax increase at first, but it appears that would be the long term solution. Right now at the Borough level all we are seeing is band aid approaches that will only help temporarily. snip What is the incentive for the Township to take us? That's always been the problem with consolidation. Consolidation can and will work -- when Trenton sets up incentives for consolidation. (e.g. tax breaks, moe aid, etc.) |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Mar 28, 2007 7:27:28 GMT -5
"solutions that we can do internally" & "case for consolidation still stands strong"
How do these two contradictory concepts apply? You think the Boro Council will pony up? Fact is our schools are UNDERFUNDED, and it is clear that the funding system is broken, Consolidation is not a short or longterm solution.
How will Consolidation of districts fix the funding issues, which is the root cause that is facing EVERY district....
How about we consolidate all municipal and County Parks into a Larger state park system, and charge for the use of ALL parks? With the revenue saved, we can redistribute the funds back into the Schools! Does parkland contribute to revenue collection? Maybe we should have corporate sponsors for our Parks, and send that revenue to the Department of Education!
Next topic please......
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Mar 28, 2007 7:39:22 GMT -5
What is the incentive for the Township to take us? That's always been the problem with consolidation. Consolidation can and will work -- when Trenton sets up incentives for consolidation. (e.g. tax breaks, moe aid, etc.) Tax Break for who? SO the Township gets a tax break and the Boro taxs go up? First, the Township has no room for consolidation, more likely Howell or Coltsneck schools which are rumored to be grossly under utilized. How about we eliminate Freehold Boro altogether and consolidate the Township and the Boro? Back on Track...with out fixing the Funding Formula, holding Abbott's accountable, serious changes in attitudes or changes in representation in Trenton, and without loud public outrage, NOTHING GETS FIXED, we end up with a larger, Consolidated district with funding issues and higher taxes for all! |
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Post by A concerned parent on Mar 28, 2007 8:30:09 GMT -5
Combining districts will save money. Many of the mandates from the state and the costs involved can be absorbed in a larger district with a larger tax break. However, this will never happen on a voluntary basis. The state must identify those districts that should be consolidated and force the legislature to vote on the complete list -- e.g., the Federal Military Base Commission, which gave the list to Congress and it was vote either up or down.
Another option is redistricting within the Boro. This was considered a few years ago, but dropped after a couple of meetings due to public objections. Once again ignorance and hysteria carried the day, as real savings and educational benefits would have been realized.
Once again, I'll bring up going to the teachers asking for give backs. There is no reason for teachers not contributing anything towards their medical coverage. No industry in the private sector has such a sweet deal.
Last but not least, I'll ask once again, those parents that want the Music, Art and Sports program, are you willing to do Fundraisers to keep these programs going ? I would think that raising $65,000 to $70,000 a year would not be impossible.
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Post by Aaron Burr on Mar 28, 2007 12:10:50 GMT -5
Here we go again…fighting amongst ourselves. Don’t we all want the best public Schools? Don’t we all want lower taxes? I think the answer is Yes, but the solution is not within Freehold Boros ability to Fix.
Lets start with a couple of ideas we can all agree on.
#1 In order to get the Best teachers you probably have the pay them the most in dollars and benefits. Teachers are like us, they want nice things too, and you need money to get those nice things.
#2 For some reason people in NJ like this Concept/Illusion of Home Rule, even if it is loaded with unfunded STATE mandates and restrictions. Why do we have our own Little League, with so few teams? Because we “think” Local Control is good. Wouldn’t it be better to pool our league with the Township?
#3 All NJ Public School Students must be taught as a minimum, to the Curricula core content guides as determined by the State, and All Students take the same test to see how well the school has provided this service to the children
#4 Municipalities, like people, only want to share when they BOTH see the benefit of sharing. I agree with the benefit, that Brian stated, to the Boro Schools if we merged with the TWP. BUT lets be real here, what does Freehold Boro Schools have that Freehold Township wants? How can a merger be in the Townships best interest?
#5 The way the State funds Public Education is Dysfunctional.
So how can the State Legislature make some simple changes to level the playing field and save some money, while protecting our precious #2.
A. Have the State, on a County/State or Regional Basis; negotiate all teachers and administrators contracts. This way Freehold Boro has the same ability as Rumson to recruit teachers. Plus their will be a much larger benefits pool for insurance.
B. Since the State holds all school accountable to the SAME test, have the State develop the curricula, select the text books and train the teachers. This way the school districts can eliminate Curricula Developers/ leaders which are in almost all school districts. The State would have more purchasing power in buying text books and in-service training.
C. Develop some system to encourage Shared Services. Their is NO LEADERSHIP within the islands of local government entities to SHARE. Short Term costs must not limit Long Term Savings.
D. Last, but not least, fix #5. Where there is a WILL there is a WAY.
So let’s focus our energies on the People whose jobs are up for renewal in November. Don’t buy their “I feel you pain” BS. We need RESULTS not WORDs.
What did the special Session get us this year… NOTHING…Why do 48 other States have a budget Surplus???
Wake up NJ. Stop putting the same people who caused, or allowed this situation to fester, regardless of PARTY, back in office.
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Post by Freehold Resident on Mar 28, 2007 12:10:51 GMT -5
Cuts in School Funding Are Hard on Schools, Resources Two Madison entities aim to supplement budget shortfalls by donating employee time, money By Jessica Moskowitz The Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) Program at Roosevelt Elementary School in Janesville: Axed. A referendum to exceed state revenue limits by $1.4 million per year for four years to maintain existing programs and services for the Wisconsin Heights School District: Failed. Layoff notices, reduced advanced placement courses, indefinitely broken boilers--these are the results of inadequate government funding for Wisconsin schools. In Madison, corporate giving of money, employee time and resources is vital to the continuation of crucial programs in the metropolitan school district. The Foundation for Madison Public Schools (FMPS) is a nonprofit organization that encourages community involvement to provide additional funding to Madison schools and CUNA Mutual Group is one business that gets an A-plus for their contributions to education.Foundations and Donations Martha Vukelich-Austin is president of the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools. Established in September 2000, this independent organization is dedicated to sustaining Madison's public schools by raising funds, making grants and developing partnerships within the community. Vukelich-Austin is both youthful and enthusiastic, and while her primary job for sixteen years was taking care of her four children, today she's responsible for finding creative and innovative ways to fund programs and grants for the forty-seven schools in the district. "What the foundation was set up to provide is sort of an innovative and creative funding outside of the core school budget," Vukelich-Austin explains. "We are never intended to fund things that are really the responsibility of the school district but to be an enhancement to those or functions of the district."According to the foundation's Web site, the FMPS has raised more than four million dollars primarily in endowments and has given back more than $350,000 in grants to Madison schools since its establishment. Three programs that are at the forefront of the FMPS are Principal for a Day, Adopt-A-School and the Individual School Endowment Initiative (ISE). All three programs encourage local businesses and governmental agencies to interact with Madison schools by contributing both employee time and resources, whether it involves taking one school under their wing or literally having a CEO sit in the principals' chair. The ISE is a unique initiative that promised matching grants for each individual school that raised five thousand dollars. Today, every school has met this goal, including twelve schools that have balances greater than twenty-five thousand dollars, and two schools that have over fifty thousand dollars in their endowment funds. CUNA Mutual Group Foundation According to the Wisconsin State Journal ("Where schools get their money," 1/28/07) the breakdown for educational funding is as follows: fifty-three percent of money comes from state aid from sales and income taxes; thirty-six percent is from local property tax; six percent is from federal aid and five percent is from other sources. This chart only cites "program fees, etc." in this category, but the CUNA Mutual Group is one example of a company that donates significantly to Madison schools. With a 'people helping people' philosophy, the company founded The CUNA Mutual Group Foundation in 1967 and put together a volunteer-based employee philanthropy team in 2006.On February 22, the company announced its partnership with the Children's Service Society of Wisconsin and pledged $218,000 a year for a to-be-determined amount of years to fund two kindergarten readiness programs at local Joining Forces for Families (JFF) Badger and Southwest locations. The "KinderReady" program aims to prepare low-income and minority children from birth age to five with the skills necessary for them to be successful when they enter kindergarten. However, that's not the only contribution CUNA Mutual Group has made in recent years. The company has also been a major contributor to the FMPS and funded the start-up of the Adopt-A-School program. This means that CUNA Mutual Group has set the standard in forming private partnerships with financially disadvantaged schools. They also fund the annual Principal for a Day luncheon that will be held May 1 at the Alliant Energy Center. Steve Goldberg, executive director of CUNA Mutual Group Foundation, deserves a gold star for his active participation in the Principal for a Day program. This year, he was in CUNA Mutual Groups' backyard at Jefferson Middle School. Goldberg got a firsthand look at everything from breaking up hallway fights to making presentations to new students. He advocates for the program saying, "It's helped me and other local business leaders understand how challenging it is to run a school and how good, professional, competent and intelligent the people are who run those schools." Why should companies be involved?
Denis Collins has grayish hair, is trim and speaks with passion. Collins is a professor of business at Edgewood College. He teaches such classes as Social Responsibility in Business and Ethical Business Practices in Madison. He has his students waiting in line at soup kitchens and volunteering their time with local nonprofit agencies.
Collins explains why Madison businesses give to education: "The public school system is the heart of any community," he says. "That's where the future citizens, the future leaders come out of."
Collins says the state of Wisconsin comes up tragically short every year in its ability to finance high schools. "As a result of that you have high schools cutting arts programs, all the arts and cultural things that children really need to be exposed to, so there's this call out now to the business community, 'What can you do to help us because we want to graduate kids that are good citizens,'" he says. "Madison is extremely progressive, extremely socially conscious. If you're a business and you want to be a player in the city of Madison you want to have a good social conscious because that's just expected of you. The bar in giving is quite high."
While the CUNA Mutual Group Foundation is an eminent contributor to the community, Goldberg is unpretentious about giving. Goldberg says he gives because the value of generosity was instilled in him as a child. "A lot of us learn philanthropy and volunteer involvement from our parents," he says. "My mom always thinks of herself last. She thought of her kids first and that helped me learn about thinking of other first."
If you would like to adopt a school or volunteer your time in the Madison Metropolitan School District you can visit the FMPS at www.foundationmadisonschools.com/adopt.html. You can help the foundation reach its goal of having every school in the district reach a $50,000 endowment balance. |
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Post by Freehold Resident on Mar 28, 2007 12:19:56 GMT -5
What taxes don't cover
Parents of public schoolchildren are using their own money to pay for extras
By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff | February 25, 2007
When Canton parents learned their children's preschool was moving to the old high school this fall, they quickly pledged to pitch in with the redecorating. They collected a wish list of books, toys, furniture, and electronics from teachers, then went shopping on their own dime.
Now the parents are launching an even more ambitious campaign -- raising as much as $100,000 for a handicapped-accessible playground for the preschool, which includes many autistic children.
In the suburbs south of Boston, active, education-focused parents frustrated with tight school budgets have taken matters into their own hands, accelerating fund-raising efforts that make car washes and bake sales look quaint. Where parents once opened up their checkbooks for team uniforms and field trips, today they help build computer labs, reinstate extracurricular clubs, and revive academic programs lost in budget cuts.
"The $2,000 bake sale, that's just not enough anymore," said Jon Carson , the CEO of cMarket , a Cambridge-based Internet auction company whose largest and fastest-growing segment is K-12 education. The convenience and novelty of on line auctions, coupled with collectible and recreational bid items, often make them far more lucrative than live events, he said.
In December, the Sharon High School PTSO turned to cMarket to host an Internet auction that brought in $32,000, more than triple the event's average yield. It was a windfall for a school whose budget has been stretched past the point of asking for educational frills.
"You would think new dictionaries for Spanish classes are a basic," said Dianne Needle , who organized the event. "Well, they're not."
Darlene Borre , who is spearheading the Canton effort, said private donations are an increasingly necessary supplement to crimped public school budgets.
"If it's just the school doing it, that's one thing," Borre said. "If the parents are involved, too, that's another. We want the playground to be something the whole community can be proud of."
Education foundations still primarily award grants for enrichment programs that fall outside of the school budget, but more are financing core programs threatened by cutbacks and other educational nuts and bolts.
"Extra has taken on a different meaning," said Carol Rosner , a Milton parent active in PTOs and the Milton Foundation for Education , which raises as much as $300,000 a year. "What once was extra is now a necessity."
For example, parents two years ago revived the Cohasset Education Foundation , which had fallen inactive, after a failed override vote. Believing they could no longer rely on residents to consistently support higher school budgets, they decided to pass the hat among themselves. In December, they raised $100,000 for a new computer lab.
But school officials' requests for items previously covered in the budget can put education foundations and parents in an awkward position. Rosner said the Milton foundation, which has established an endowment and raises some $300,000 annually, has denied requests for defibrillators and an emergency phone system.
Mary Masi-Phelps , president of the Westwood Educational Foundation , said the group is receiving more requests for basics, but is generally steering clear in favor of programs that will enhance the school experience.
"It's something we've struggled with," she said. "But in budget times like these, it's hard enough to provide the body of education. We try to take care of the soul."
Foundation organizers say that donations have risen in step with the increase in need. For parents who have the means, it seems, donating to their children's education is money well spent, and few complain over disproportionately bearing the expense of public schools.
"To me it's short money," Rosner said.
When Easton approved a $3.4 million tax increase in June, the first budget override to pass in 16 years, Tom Keegan of the Foundation for Excellence in Education in Easton assumed his fund-raising would suffer. Instead, the group's dinner and auction in December raised $110,000 for new computers and other technology, a record amount.
Keegan said he had underestimated parents' willingness to contribute directly to causes they believe in, "I anticipated people would push back, say "Enough's enough,' " Keegan said. "But people like knowing where the money is going."
Indeed, schools and other nonprofits across the country netted some $1.7 billion in donations three years ago, according to the latest survey by the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers . Schools and school-related groups made up about 83 percent of fund-raising sales, according to the survey. And James Martinez of the National Parent Teacher Association said parent groups are seeking more creative ways to raise money as the urgency for additional funds rises.
But some education specialists say public schools' increasing reliance on private donations dilutes efforts to increase school funding and widens the gap between schools in wealthy and poor communities. Arnold Fege , director of public engagement and advocacy for the Washington, D.C.-based Public Education Network , which tracks private fund-raising efforts for public schools, said budget pressures brought on by the advent of high-stakes testing under the federal No Child Left Behind law has pushed parent groups and education foundations to intensify their fund-raising.
"It's a surrogate form of tax revenue that creates huge equity problems," he said. "Schools become a charity rather than a public service," he said.
But many parents said that while property taxes and state aid would ideally fund schools sufficiently, they are not about to put principle before practical concerns about something as important as their children's learning.
"They can only do so much with the budget they have," Keegan said. "I don't want to argue that point at the expense of the kids."
Peter Schworm can be reached at schworm@globe.com.
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Post by richardkelsey on Mar 28, 2007 12:22:48 GMT -5
What is the incentive for the Township to take us? That's always been the problem with consolidation. Consolidation can and will work -- when Trenton sets up incentives for consolidation. (e.g. tax breaks, More aid, etc.) Tax Break for who? SO the Township gets a tax break and the Boro taxs go up? First, the Township has no room for consolidation, more likely Howell or Coltsneck schools which are rumored to be grossly under utilized. How about we eliminate Freehold Boro altogether and consolidate the Township and the Boro? Back on Track...with out fixing the Funding Formula, holding Abbott's accountable, serious changes in attitudes or changes in representation in Trenton, and without loud public outrage, NOTHING GETS FIXED, we end up with a larger, Consolidated district with funding issues and higher taxes for all! Again -- simple question. Why would it be int he best interest of Freehold Township Schools to combine with Freehold Boro? More pointedly -- what does Freehold Borough bring to the combination equation that would convince Township residents and taxpayers to make the combination? Of course there are huge benefits to consolidation long term that can be articulated. However -- From the Township -- and only the Township's perspective -- do any of the proposed benefits outweigh the costs and disadvantages? I think the answer is NO. I suspect the answer from the Township might actually be -- HELL NO. The incentives and tax breaks -- if any can be so structured -- would go to the absorbing community to incentivize them to absorb and consolidate when such consolidation would otherwise not be in a communities' interest. The irony is -- the area already has a consolidated High School System that works better and more efficiently. So -- we know consolidation could work and have benefits. Now you must convince those communities who will bear the initial cost and burden to do so -- that is only going to be done with incentives -- and my guess is only as part of a much larger consolidation that recoups greater savings, and reduces the burden of costs on schools who know don't bear those costs and disadvantages. |
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