School Budget

[concerned parent]

Just a couple of thoughts on the school budget. If the parents are so concerned about keeping the activities that are being eliminated,why don't they form "booster clubs" to raise monies so that these activities are self funding. Programs are being eliminated while others are being increased - especially ESL and World Language. While these may be mandated by the state,other program mandated by the state are not up to standards. Why doesn't the Board contact the Teachers' Union and ask for some give backs ? If teachers paid what everyone else pays toward their Medical Coverage, the Board would realize at least $200,000 in savings.At least put the teachers on record if they are not willing to help. I am sure there are other ideas that people ca come up with if they try - the question is - is anyone willing.

[admin]

Concerned parent,

I am going to use your post a a jumping point for other, very related issues. As you clearly point out, we need solutions. Lots of them.

We should all be thinking ahead to the up coming town hall meeting and the message we want to send. I have credible info that there will be several Latino parents, very possible some will be illegal immigrants, coming to this meeting with all of us. I mention this because I have heard time and time again that not only are there not enough parents involved in the schools, but there are not enough immigrant parents involved either.

When we all get to this town hall meeting, I hope to see a united front in our town. Some differences need to be put aside for at least a night. We need to concentrate on the fact the the education system is a mess. Freehold is not alone in that fact, yet we are feeling it more and more.

Concerned Parent, your post shows exactly the right direction we need to go in, for the purpose of the bigger picture. We need to challenge our elected leaders who we will see, and then we do need to follow up with a great deal of internal evaluation.

None of that will mean squat unless we increase interest in the schools from all of our population. There comes a point where people from all sides have to stop with the back and forth sniping and strive for more creative and positive initiatives. This attitude can go a long way toward not only helping our schools, but our entire town. We are long over due.


On March 20, let us show a more united Freehold.

[Another Concerned Parent]

The rest of the working world has been paying rising costs out of their personal pockets for medical coverage for over a decade now. The time for permanent measures to be in place for medical premium contributions for all school personnel is long overdue.

[richardkelsey]

concerned said:

Just a couple of thoughts on the school budget. If the parents are so concerned about keeping the activities that are being eliminated,why don't they form "booster clubs" to raise monies so that these activities are self funding. Programs are being eliminated while others are being increased - especially ESL and World Language. While these may be mandated by the state,other program mandated by the state are not up to standards. Why doesn't the Board contact the Teachers' Union and ask for some give backs ? If teachers paid what everyone else pays toward their Medical Coverage, the Board would realize at least $200,000 in savings.At least put the teachers on record if they are not willing to help. I am sure there are other ideas that people ca come up with if they try - the question is - is anyone willing.

Spiraling medical costs is a problem all schools and all businesses face. I run three companies -- and it is a constant problem.

Of course, in the business world, we have much greater flexibility to deal with costs and problems.

The problem with public education is that the voters in Freehold have a BOE -- but that BOE is almost powerless to change the mandated costs placed upon it. (I am not making excuses for them, but the costs burying districts like freehold are more associated with state mandates than anything else. Obviously, being forced to bargain in a union friendly state with a unit of the NJEA is a major disadvantage. In Virginia, we are not handicapped at all by this -- and our schools dominate the top rankings. )

The number one problem with school expenses in Freehold is the influx of illegal immigrants and the impact that has had on the schools. Because the schools are mandated to educate these children, and because the state mandates of space per child, and programs such as ESL cripple localities -- it is difficult for a town like Freehold to find the resources to educate her children.

Here's the truth though -- if Freehold did not have the children of illegal immigrants and children who are themselves here illegally in the school system, it would have more than ample money to educate the children of the lawful residents of Freehold.

Freehold is at an even greater disadvantage as most of its commercially available real estate is not subject to tax because of the county. While it is true that the county offices provide an economic engine to the Borough - the loss of that real estate tax cripples the Borough because of the way schools are funded in New Jersey.

Finally -- Freehold schools suffer from the ultimate indignity in that most schools have programs and activities supplemented by strong, active boosters. In Freehold, the illegal immigrant population is not contributing to these traditional supplemental means. They are not volunteering, they are not participating, they are not raising money, and this creates an additional and hidden drag.

These politicians with whom your are meeting are not opposed to illegal immigration. They have made no effort to help Freehold, and they pay lip service to the problem. This meeting should be about demonstrating the cost of their inaction -- and at a minimum, forcing them to find contributions to the borough coffers. In the end, it will only be a stop-gap -- but it is better than the current problem.

As the schools get worse -- property values will drop -- as will tax revenues , and it will be a vicious cycle.

It is the policy of these types of politicians that have created this problem -- now is the chance to ask them to fix it. If they care about these children, legal and illegal, they need to find the funds to provide the basic education. In the meantime -- Freehold needs to be working to find a way to get these people out of the down before it drowns under the social cost.

[admin]

Another said:

The rest of the working world has been paying rising costs out of their personal pockets for medical coverage for over a decade now. The time for permanent measures to be in place for medical premium contributions for all school personnel is long overdue.

Don't pick on just the schools employees, go after all government workers. Health care ain't free for anyone.