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Post by admin on Apr 8, 2007 10:41:38 GMT -5
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. To angry guest and the other newer visitors, As per what the Fiberman said, this site is being watched and read by a great many people. When you post an opinion here, you are being heard. That is really good for those who can not make it to meetings or are not the best public speakers. Although, getting to meetings is good! I urge all of you to sign up as resgistered users. All view points are welcome and being a registered user does not mean that you are a supporter of any specific group. This message board is for all of Freehold Borough. Use it to your advantage. There is so much to learn here. |
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Post by LS on Apr 9, 2007 9:08:58 GMT -5
Everyone is familiar with the for sale signs in the boro. But I have talked to several people that want to put their houses on the market because of the schools. You'd be surprised the people in town that are talking about it.
Voting NO means losing more good people.
Don't play games with these kids!
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Post by Informed Guest on Apr 9, 2007 9:53:34 GMT -5
Voting NO just sends the message that you don't support the school district. There is no way for Trenton to be able to read anything into a defeated budget. It's easy for Trenton to say that there must be some local underlying reason for it. They will not place blame with themselves.
If you want what's best for the children of Freehold Borough you should support your school district in this very difficult situation. Defeating this budget will only make their jobs more difficult. You will be taking out your frustrations on the children of Freehold Borough, not Trenton.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 9, 2007 10:44:19 GMT -5
Voting NO just sends the message that you don't support the school district. There is no way for Trenton to be able to read anything into a defeated budget. It's easy for Trenton to say that there must be some local underlying reason for it. They will not place blame with themselves. If you want what's best for the children of Freehold Borough you should support your school district in this very difficult situation. Defeating this budget will only make their jobs more difficult. You will be taking out your frustrations on the children of Freehold Borough, not Trenton. WRONG!!! Voting no means you do not approve of the Bidget being put forth by the FB BOE, nothing more! "They will not place blame with themselves." Correct, bureaucrats generally don't blame themselves, this is why we have elections! "There is no way for Trenton to be able to read anything into a defeated budget." Here you ARE wrong, commissioner Davey is WELL AWARE of Freehold Boro by now, and if you took time to go to Trenton two weeks ago, this fact would be CRYSTAL CLEAR to you!!! When the gallery was full of Yellow t-shirts that read Freehold Boro needs T&E Funding, Every Member of the states budget committee NOTICED, The Commissioner and her Staff Noticed too! Only the Lame and Blind were uninformed about what Freehold Boro. "support your school district in this very difficult situation" I will and it will continue to be difficult regardless if a yes or no vote is the out come because the problem is in Trenton, and have you made any effort beyond this board, or a voting booth to let Trenton know THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE? If not, you MUST and NOW! "You will be taking out your frustrations on the children of Freehold" Not true, did you ever stop to think that the LOCAL FUNDING WELL IS DRIED UP? For the last five year this has been a burden on the backs of out residents! What of the the Senior citizens on fix income, that they will have lees for food, medicine and housing because Trenton Schools Funding is Screwed up, tell the poor people who are low income renters that their rents are going up because they choose to not live in a ABBOTT district, that you are voting for their rents to go up! There is a lot more at stake here than A few local school administrators worried that their staff will have to work harder! Do we need an $80K per year Technology Coordinator? Why not a $60K per year Technology Coordinator? The "Party" Line for a yes vote should not be dictated by the BOE, that is not their job! Their job is to provide a T&E education, not "Politic"! How about the Great Insurance coverage our teachers get? Are the teacher Unions will to negotiate Benefit Give Backs like higher insurance deductibles, and co-pays for the sake of your children? Again, have you asked your Boro Council to explain why they too chose to under fund our schools 10% below the county average, 20%-25% lower than our surrounding communities! Why are YOU so willing to have to reach down deeper into your pockets? You must be very well off! And Believe me, the folks talking about moving, will have their homes on the market for 18 months till they can find a buyer, and will never get what they are asking for because the market will be too competitive. I say DO YOU RESEARCH, by get independent data about the funding problems, and Vote your hart, and DO NOT VOTE because of a scare tactic! Vote yes, Vote no, but vote WISELY! I am sure you will, and after April 17th we are all still friends and neighbors!!! |
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Post by LS on Apr 9, 2007 11:18:05 GMT -5
Why are YOU so willing to have to reach down deeper into your pockets? You must be very well off! I don't think this was aimed at me, but I will address it. For the property owners, the school system is an investment into the town, which rises and falls with the investment of your home. Whether your house has been on the market for 18 months, or whether you are planning on selling in 18 years, the better the school system, the better your eventual sale price. The better the school system today, the more likely that homes being bought will be sold to owner-occupiers. Keep things going the way they are, people will lower their overpriced homes and sell them to investors. In my opinion, the NO votes of the past have been shots in the foot. Their is only one choice, vote YES. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 9, 2007 12:08:51 GMT -5
Why are YOU so willing to have to reach down deeper into your pockets? You must be very well off! For the property owners, the school system is an investment into the town, which rises and falls with the investment of your home. The better the school system today, the more likely that homes being bought will be sold to owner-occupiers. Keep things going the way they are, people will lower their overpriced homes and sell them to investors. In my opinion, the NO votes of the past have been shots in the foot. Their is only one choice, vote YES. You just do not get it!!! Again, why are you, me or any other home owner a the sole target for funding our schools? These are the Facts that you will not comment on...AGAIN.. have you asked your Boro Council to explain why they too chose to under fund our schools 10% below the county average, 20%-25% lower than our surrounding communitiesyour words.."school system is an investment into the town", Your Boro council is UNDER INVESTING, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, SO if property values sinks into the abyss because of underfunding, as a home owner willing to dig deep into your FINITE personal finances, why are you you so willing to do this? Again, has the School Board pressed the Teachers Unions? Hav ethey asked the Council, Have they SERIOUSLY looked at cost lowering from a broader spectrum of shared services? Has the School Board cracked down on questionable enrollment? These are all issues that impact the school budget, thus spending, thus asking YOU for money, and Thus the root causes for our yes or no votes! Are you satisfied with the answers? Every voter has 8 days to resolve these questions in order to intelligently vote yes or no. The is no "i" in the word TEAM, and "I" will not be the SOLE bearer of this burden, neither should you! Good Government is a Team effort by people, meaning you, Trenton, The Boro and the totality of Boro residents. We all need to be involved. Look at the facts THEN Vote Yes or Vote No !You seem to think that "people" have "overpriced" homes in the Boro/ The Boro is a great Value for the future Owner Occupied buyer, but when this Value Prices real estate is OVER Taxed to compensate for Edu Underfunding by the Boro and State, you will end up that more absentee landlords. Anyway, my point is not to sway your vote one way or another...My point is GO VOTE on April 17th and inspire EVERYONE you know to Vote, the Yes people...get out your YES Vote Friends (or enemies for that matter), same for the NO vote People....The more the merrier, and again....!!! |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 9, 2007 12:26:29 GMT -5
Everyone is familiar with the for sale signs in the boro. But I have talked to several people that want to put their houses on the market because of the schools. You'd be surprised the people in town that are talking about it. Voting NO means losing more good people. Don't play games with these kids! LS... How insesitive that you suggest Boro residents "p lay games with these kids"FIRST, I am a Customer of the School System in the Boro, I am NOT PLAYING GAMES WITH MY KID(S), I (OR YOU) SHOULD NOT BE HELD OVER A BARREL EITHER! TO SUGGEST A HARD WORKING FAMILY WHO CAN NOT AFFORD THE YES VOTE IS PLAYING GAMES WITH KIDS, IS WRONG!. YOU NEED TO THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT PLACE THE BLAME FOR THIS...LET ME BE VERY CLEAR... IT IS YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS PLAYING GAMES WITH OUR CHILDREN, NOT PARENTS! Yes I have seen the same "For Sales Signs" for almost a Year and A half, so now there will be more, and the Boro will become a Buyers Market! Is it not better to stay and fight? And is there ANY guarantee that the community YOU move to will be any better in a year or two? This is a State wide problem, not an isolated Boro problem. Think this has anything to do with people NEVER going to School Board meetings? For years there has been very little involvement, and now that the S*hit hit the Fan, People talk about Moving, and Self inflicting a Tax increase. So are these folks your talking with going to vote yes for the Tax increase, move and leave the higher Taxes for the rest of us? Those that Vote Yes, in good conscious, should Stay here and finish what your Vote Started. This is a good example to set for your children! Teaching Children about social activism for a good cause is a great lesson from parents! Cutting and running teaches children nothing, they learn to not have commitment to the beliefs they VALUE. |
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Post by Wackford Squeers on Apr 9, 2007 18:06:45 GMT -5
I will be voting "No" on the second ballot question, having read this information last week in the N-T: As they stared down the barrel of eliminating school sports teams and extracurricular activities, board members decided on March 26 to allow residents to vote on a second ballot question on April 17. The second question asks for $75,275 in wages and stipends to be used for school-sponsored athletics and extracurricular activities. This question also asks for the hiring of a residency officer to investigate residency issues, as needed, at a cost not to exceed $15,000 annually.
According to information provided by district officials, approval of the second question will result in a permanent increase in the district's tax levy. These proposed expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the state's Core Curriculum Content Standards. Over and over again, the BOE response to anyone questioning whether there are students enrolled in the FB schools who actually reside in other towns has been that there are no residency issues in the borough schools, that all of the students are without question residents of the borough, and even if they aren't it isn't within the legal means of the schools to question residency claims beyond asking for meagre and easily falsified documentation - and yet now they are proposing spending up to $15K a year to investigate residency issues? And that linking of it to a warm & fuzzy levy for funding for "extras"? How clever! </snark> Does the FB school district need a residency officer? Absolutely. But IMO, the question should have been allowed to stand on its own. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 9, 2007 20:12:43 GMT -5
I will be voting "No" on the second ballot question, having read this information last week in the N-T: As they stared down the barrel of eliminating school sports teams and extracurricular activities, board members decided on March 26 to allow residents to vote on a second ballot question on April 17. The second question asks for $75,275 in wages and stipends to be used for school-sponsored athletics and extracurricular activities. This question also asks for the hiring of a residency officer to investigate residency issues, as needed, at a cost not to exceed $15,000 annually.
According to information provided by district officials, approval of the second question will result in a permanent increase in the district's tax levy. These proposed expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the state's Core Curriculum Content Standards. Over and over again, the BOE response to anyone questioning whether there are students enrolled in the FB schools who actually reside in other towns has been that there are no residency issues in the borough schools, that all of the students are without question residents of the borough, and even if they aren't it isn't within the legal means of the schools to question residency claims beyond asking for meagre and easily falsified documentation - and yet now they are proposing spending up to $15K a year to investigate residency issues? And that linking of it to a warm & fuzzy levy for funding for "extras"? How clever! </snark> Does the FB school district need a residency officer? Absolutely. But IMO, the question should have been allowed to stand on its own. Glad you brought this up Wack! Ghee how do I vote. $75K divided by 4000 households, thats about $18.00 per year with a potential ROI with a "Residency Officer". What the BOE needs to do also is have EVERY student who's parents RENT, re-register for school EVERY year, and supply the lease renewal too, like other districts do. If there are multiple registrants with lease that have the SAME address, the Residency Officer along with DYFS must investigate! Vote YES, Vote NO...just get out and VOTE!!!! |
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Post by Honest Voter on Apr 10, 2007 8:19:48 GMT -5
Any one else hear that the Borough School Superintendent is personally orchestrating a yes vote?
If this is true, this will invalidate the vote once the Board of election is told, and her position will be at risk.
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Post by admin on Apr 10, 2007 16:39:20 GMT -5
To All,
This thread has done very well. That was the purpose. We even have a few new people chiming in, and that is great.
As, I have mentioned, we are being watched. I have been in a small email exchange with a person from the schools. I had not seen that coming. I will tell all of you the same thing I told him. I really do not know how I am voting. I put this and the "Abolish the Borough Schools" threads up for the purpose of encouraging different view points.
The schools person who emailed me and I both agree that there is one very important thing. We all need to get ourselves and as many other people out to vote. We need a strong showing at the polls.
As I have mentioned, Trenton is watching this site as well. They need to see us not only here, but in the voting booth this month and in November.
In our town, we have tough decisions, but we are all united in sending the message to Trenton that we need reform. We do have enough votes in this town to sway an election. Make no mistake about that.
Our politicians in Trenton, from both parties, have earned a disgusting distinction. They have managed to give us the highest property taxes in the nation and still leave our schools short changed. That is a dishonor which takes real talent to reach such a high level of incompetence and negligence.
Just get out and vote! However that may be.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 10, 2007 19:23:42 GMT -5
AND I WILL ADD...
Get down to Trenton TOO!!! He SEEN as well as heard!
There is the Senate Edu Budget hearing the Monday. The Senate Budget committee will GRILL DOE Commissioner Davey.
Last time we went two weeks ago for the Assembly Budget Committee the BORO did a great job with getting noticed, we need to get noticed again (and again, and again ect....)
Plane to be there if you can!
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 11, 2007 6:19:06 GMT -5
Freehold contingent states case for more school funds
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Although the chance of additional school funding being miraculously heaped on the Freehold Borough School District is slight at best, school board officials are not giving up the fight.
Board of Education President Jim Keelan said that he, along with Superin-tendent of Schools Elizabeth O'Connell, Business Administrator Veronica Wolf, members of the school board, Borough Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer and a group of parents went to Trenton on March 29 and attended a state Assembly budget hearing to "show support and a presence."
"We went to state our case. We made our presence known," he said, adding, "We need more money for borough students and we need it now."
The board has proposed a $16.7 million budget for the 2007-08 school year that residents will vote on in the April 17 school election.
The budget proposes an increase in the K-8 school tax rate from 66.7 cents to 74.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That means the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $257,000 will pay $1,904 in local school taxes in 2007-08, up from $1,714 in the 2006-07 school year.
The budget cuts 12 positions, including a math supervisor, a fourth-grade teacher, a fifth-grade teacher, a guidance counselor and a librarian. The budget eliminates school-sponsored sports and extracurricular activities. It includes the addition of two first-grade teachers and a full-time and a part-time World Language teacher.
A second ballot question on April 17 will ask for $75,275 in wages and stipends to be used for school-sponsored athletics and extracurricular activities. This question also asks for the hiring of a residency officer to investigate residency issues, as needed, at a cost not to exceed $15,000 annually.
According to information provided by district officials, approval of the second question will result in a permanent increase in the district's tax levy. These proposed expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the state's Core Curriculum Content Standards.
School administrators have said the district is spending below what the state says is necessary to provide pupils with a thorough and efficient education. Admin-istrators are asking for aid that will bring the district up to that level - about $9,000 per pupil. At present, the district is spending about $8,100 per pupil.
Shutzer said she made the decision to go to Trenton after several parents of toddlers asked her if she thought they should sell their homes before their children reach school age. She said there was quite a turnout for the trip to the Statehouse and added that the Freehold Borough contingent's presence was noted by members of the Legislature.
"They did listen to us and we let them know that they have to be accountable for their actions." Shutzer said.
Shutzer praised Keelan for his efforts and dedication to the school district.
The Freehold representatives wore yellow T-shirts that proclaimed "Freehold Borough Needs T&E" on the front and "S.O.S. - Save Our Schools" on the back.
Keelan said he spoke with Education Commissioner Lucille Davy, who told him she did not have a pot of money to give to Freehold Borough schools. He said she repeated that statement when questioned by Assemblyman Joseph Malone during the budget hearing.
"That is the fourth time I have heard her say she has no money for us," Keelan said.
He said Budget Chairman Assembly-man Lou Greenwald opened the hearing by saying that everyone is "competing for limited state dollars."
Keelan said O'Connell, Wolf, state Sen. Ellen Karcher, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, Shutzer and several parents met with Greenwald and Assemblyman Gary Schaer during the hearings. Keelan also met with Malone and Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole.
"They all heard our pleas, but no promises or commitments were made to get additional funds for the school district," he said.
Keelan said Karcher and Beck are still working on legislation to get the school district needed funds.
Jean Holtz, who chairs the Freehold Borough Educational Foundation, also went to Trenton. She said the state's school funding formula is flawed where Freehold Borough is concerned.
"We're operating extremely efficiently, so much so that we're well under the recommended per-pupil spending guidelines for a court-ordered and constitutionally mandated thorough and efficient education. The irony is we can't raise more revenue for education because of state-mandated caps. And obviously, we can't spend any more because the cabinet is bare. My daughter is in prekindergarten. She deserves a thorough and efficient education as she advances through elementary school. Just because she lives in Freehold Borough means it's possible she won't receive it. Why? Because education is funded by property taxes. Education by geography is terribly unfair. It's inherently wrong and it needs to be fixed," Holtz said.
Holtz said this is an issue that all borough residents need to be concerned about and that it will affect all residents in different ways.
"As chair of the Freehold Borough Educational Foundation, I have reached out to the New Jersey Education Law Center, the pre-eminent advocacy group for fair educational funding for all of the state's children. The executive director, David Sciarra, has offered to meet with us and the superintendent to help us strategize ways to help get the full funding we deserve."
Ted Miller is the parent of three children in the Freehold Learning Center elementary school. He, too, went to Trenton.
"There are 600 school districts and I know everyone is competing for the same funds. It's almost like sibling rivalry," Miller said. "But we are unique here. We wanted them to get the message that we are the county seat, and the smallest county seat. We have, by comparison, the largest ratio of [tax-exempt] county buildings compared to other towns. On top of that, we are completely built out with no room for new ratables. All of this plus flat funding for five years makes us stand out here."
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 11, 2007 6:34:32 GMT -5
"reached out to the New Jersey Education Law Center"
Heck I will talk with anyone willing to help, but all the NJELC will tell you is about the Bacon District suite, and how the courts have failed to get a discions...
Some group of citizens should reach out to the ACLU (OMG, the dreaded ACLU wheres my Garlic and Cross), however The have a track record of winning just causes, and this IS A JUST CAUSE!
The state Department of Education and the Political Hack Commis. Davey are flat out REFUSING to ensure Freehold Boro's Children what the Constitution GUARANTEES!
ACLU should be reached out to, not the NJELC!!!
Oh and guess what, while we're crying out for what we NEED, I have it under good authority, that the Abbott are lobbying for even more money per student for 2008!
Karcher and Panter, time to tell your Fellow Dem's and your Party Boss's to HELP YOU CONSTITUENTS!
In NYC the BOE Commissioner CLOSES UNDER PERFORMING SCHOOLS, REASSIGNS THE TEACHERS, AND REDESIGNS THE EDUCATIONS METHODS LIKE EXPERIMENTAL BOUTIQUE HS's. (More to follow on this one), Rather than pouring more money into the ABBOTT FAILURES!
ANYWAY, Fixing Freehold Funding is a JOB FOR THE ACLU at this point!
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Post by Hawkeye on Apr 14, 2007 15:55:14 GMT -5
Hey, here is a funny joke for all of you.
just when tax season ends and we all get to see how much we pay in income taxes, we are now expected to vote for tax increases for the schools!
Wait, that is not a funny joke, but a cruel one. What Einstein decided to put the election at such a poor time?
My kids are well out of school and they never did go to the Borough or regional schools, but it really is rotten for parents and schools today.
Hawkeye for BOE!
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