Editorial: Ask questions before voting on questions

   Voters in the South Hunterdon Regional High School district need to make sure all their questions are answered before voting on the $18.8 million bond referendum Sept. 25.
   The school says its 42-year-old boiler could go any time. Narrow spaces are being used for offices, classrooms and computers. The library, dating from the ’50s, has outdated technology.
   There’s no doubt the school is sorely in need of renovation. The district wants $11.1 million to fix basic things and build a 14,000-square-foot addition for new science labs, music rooms and a media center.
   That’s the first question voters need to ponder. The second and third ask for $3.9 million for a 51-seat auditorium and $3.8 million for a 600-seat gymnasium. The state has pledged $4.1 million if all three are approved.
   Voters should keep in mind the first question must be approved by a majority or the other two cannot pass.
   Many are worried about the sizable tax increase — $308 a year in Lambertville, $334 in West Amwell and $215 in Stockton. It’s a legitimate point.
   But voters can’t look at dollars alone. Do they feel the building needs repair? How will their extra tax dollars benefit their children, particularly in the long run?
   Those whose children already have graduated should consider that years back, former generations handed over hard-earned money to build South Hunterdon after Lambertville High School deteriorated. And their children benefited from that "state-of-the-art" facility at that time.
   There is no question about it. Our schools in this area are getting old and weary. We need to keep pace with ever-changing technology, and facilities and equipment are a key element.
   Vote Tuesday with the confidence you understand what the school district is trying to accomplish. That means all your questions should be answered so you can make an informed decision based on the facts, not an emotional reaction to handing over more of your hard-earned money.