Letters

Small class sizes

benefit education
To the editor:
   I’d like to comment on the March 8 editorial to which I commented over the Internet, only to have my response lost in some dismal abyss at The Beacon instead of appearing here where it should have been.
   It is quite obvious that you have no children who will be affected by this decision or I believe that your response would have reaped the fruits of a much deeper thought process.
   It is also quite obvious that you have not instructed or taught a class of 12 and a class of 25 or you would have had to address at least the direct relationship between increased class size and increased need for control resulting in decreased available time to promote academic achievement.
   It is also quite obvious that you have not done your research before commenting in your editorial.
   "You," who identify yourself(ves) as an unidentified "we," state that the school cites declining enrollment as the reason for the cutbacks. You had someone covering the Feb. 20 board meeting. The board members themselves aren’t sure what the reason is.
   You have a letter supporting them in the March 15 edition of The Beacon applauding their fiscal soundness. Where is your investigative reporter to get to the bottom of this? This is part of the issue. No one has really come forth and given a plausible, supportable stance as to why there are cuts.
   Some of the board members themselves acknowledged by their actions Feb. 20 that further investigation into the issue(s) may give everyone a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved and how to best achieve it. The parents are merely asking for time to "do the homework" and ensure that this is a right decision.
   You cite a dozen or so each of fifth and sixth graders as "wasteful" while the Cranbury school calls it a key to high Scholastic Achievement Test scores as well as successes in personal growth, development and other academic achievement. They have documented support of their assertion; do you?
   You attempt to compare the school’s average class size of 14 to an unidentified 44 "state average" and cite that it is "several" below that average. Let’s split hairs for a moment as we define the word. Several — three or more. If the state average is 13.3, have you not again, mislead the public in telling them that 14 is several (three or more) less than 13.3?
   You state that "The board deserves a pat on the back for taking the initiative to form a task force." If no one had shown up at the Feb. 20 board meeting, there would be no pro-active effort to address declining enrollment. It came from an overwhelming outcry on the part of the community.
   The board will deserve a pat on the back if and when it rescinds its decision to cut 2.5 teachers and thoroughly looks at the situation along with the community to create a positive outcome for all.
   I also would like to point out some inconsistencies in Mr. Fleming’s letter. He states that "It looks like the only attendees at the last school board meeting were parents of students presently attending the school and teachers." I’d like to correct him in that there were individuals there who send their children to other schools, who live in other districts and whose children graduated from LPS as well as parents with current and future students who are/will be attending LPS. Some of these individuals who do not have children who will be affected by this still spoke publicly on their support of the board rescinding its decision to cut 2.5 teachers.
   I also challenge Mr. Fleming’s response on the interest of fiscal responsibility. I have taken the opportunity to look and dissect the budget. I stated in my last letter that I did not want to comment before doing my homework. There are many issues, too numerous to address in this letter, but in a follow-up, regarding the budget. The education I am receiving is invaluable.
   I can assure you of one thing regarding declining enrollment; it is not due to declining birth rates in the city of Lambertville. Our kindergarten enrollments for the last few years is half or less than the birth figures in this town for those respective years. These figures are going to be addressed at the next board meeting.
   Food for thought. In 1999 the U.S. Department of Education launched its new class size reduction program, and every state received its share of the 1.2 billion dollars. In addition, legislation has been introduced to authorize a seven-year effort and $200 million in funding to continue to reduce class size.
   Initial research conclusively supports smaller classes promote academic achievement. STAR, the Student Teacher Achievement Ratio studies on class size, promote a 15:1 student-teacher ratio; this is a nationally desired ratio. These studies were done on grades K-3 as you would perform a study of this type at the beginning of the education cycle.
   Continuing initiatives promote small class size benefits through higher grades, some as high as eighth grade. The government is just catching up.
   Why wouldn’t you stay ahead of the game? LPS, you don’t need a little class; you already have it!

Confusion over

COAH, State Plan
To the editor:
   There appears to be some confusion regarding the Council on Affordable Housing and its relationship with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.
   COAH carefully follows the State Plan and, in fact, is the one state agency whose rules specifically defer to those of the State Planning Commission, the Pinelands Commission, the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission and CAFRA.
   The COAH planning staff and the planning staff of the Office of State Planning work closely together. The two agencies have a memorandum of understanding, and a joint task force of COAH board members and SPC members is meeting on such issues as affordable housing, smart growth, redevelopment, sewer and water.
   COAH housing obligations, or quotas as referenced by some people, are not in conflict with planning designations in the State Plan. COAH’s rules state that in rural or environmentally sensitive areas (planning areas 4 and 5), "The Council shall require inclusionary development (containing affordable housing) to be located in centers" and that "all sites designated for low and moderate income housing shall be consistent with the applicable" water and sewer plans.
   However, market rate units do not have to abide by such stringent regulations. Former farmland is now often dotted with expensive market rate homes, not affordable ones, on septic systems. Low- and moderate-income housing can only be designated for sites that have existing infrastructure and are consistent with the State Plan.
   If a town come in voluntarily to COAH and is not sued, that community maintains control of its zoning and the decisions for its provision of affordable housing. The existing pattern of development need not be drastically altered by affordable housing obligations if a community is diligent in its planning and does not leave itself open to Mt. Laurel litigation.
   A COAH task force is meeting regularly to decide the components of a third round methodology, which will focus on the need to be fair, understandable and predictable. Also, COAH has had ongoing dialogues with the Coalition for Affordable Housing and the Environment.
   The public and private sectors have been encouraged to give input for a new methodology and new regulations via task forces on urban redevelopment; Pinelands, CAFRA and Hackensack Meadowlands; rural, open space and farmland preservation; coordination with state agencies; coordination with housing advocates and housing administrators; legal, planning and financing issues; and suburban growth areas. These task forces will be reconvening this spring.
   When COAH proposes its new regulations, which will include the formula for affordable housing obligations, the public will have the opportunity to make additional comments.
   For individuals or groups who wish more information about COAH, check the Web site — www.dca.state.nj.us/dca/coah — or contact Sidna Mitchell, COAH deputy director, at (609) 292-4553.

Need open forum

for candidates
To the editor:
   New Hope is now gearing up for another primary election with a few available council seats and, of course, the mayoral position.
   In many ways the position of power is on the council. But, I believe this time the mayoral bid is most important.
   We actually have three uniquely diverse mayoral primary candidates, each bringing their own individual visions and ideas to the table. I believe this mayoral race will ultimately define the course New Hope will take in the future. The mayor is not only New Hope’s representative, but he will stand for New Hope’s new direction in the midst of changes and growth.
   Let us not only see in print what each candidate has to say, but let us hear them publicly during an open debate. Let this be an open forum where the candidates can share their views and ideas and answer questions from the public. Primary elections are vital to our democracy and as voters we are faced with a great responsibility. Let us be educated, and let us make wise choices in this primary.
   I propose that these three mayoral candidates publicly debate their ideas. The first debate should be between the two Republican candidates before the May primary and the second between the primary winners.
   There are many issues facing New Hope — the direction of revitalization; the structure and future of our police department; and the importance of solid and honest communication between the mayor and the council. I would like to see the candidates held accountable for their views about the role of mayor in New Hope and what they intend to bring to the table if elected. An educated voter is a smart voter.
   I would like to see a mayor standing not just for the Republicans or just for the Democrats, but for all of New Hope.

Keep all guns

locked up
To the editor:
   I can’t decide if I am more shocked by a teen-ager stealing guns and ammunition from a home in Lambertville or by an adult leaving a home unlocked with such guns inside.
   Had any harm been done with the guns, the owner could have found him or herself liable for damages and possible prosecution.
   Surely, guns and ammunition should be kept under lock and key inside a house with outside doors always locked. Otherwise, don’t keep guns.

Woman thanks

‘good samaritans’
To the editor:
   Monday morning, Feb. 19, I had been shopping in Clemens Market in New Hope.
   I absentmindedly left my wallet in the shopping basket I had used. When I arrived home, there was a message waiting for me. A young boy and his father had found the wallet and turned it in at the courtesy desk.
   These honest people had not been asked nor volunteered their names. I looked for anyone who might still be in the store, meeting the description given me, with no success.
   I would like to thank the boy and his dad for their honesty and caring for others. These are seldom seen virtues in today’s society.
   It is very heart-warming to see this display of humanity. Thank you very much.