On Tuesday, Jan. 22, the voters of North Brunswick will decide the fate of the bond referendum which will be used to fund additions and renovations at the high school. The improvements to the high school are needed based on demographic studies that indicate the high school population will increase by more than 500 students in the next few years, and will remain at that increased level for a 10-ear period. If the referendum does not pass, the board will be faced with difficult decisions such as greatly increasing class sizes, using temporary housing, or holding another referendum. A Blue Ribbon school district should have better options than these.
The state Department of Education has committed about 26 percent of the cost of the referendum, and interest rates are currently very favorable, which means that the impact on the taxpayers of North Brunswick would be minimized. In fact, assuming a 20-year bond and a 4.75-percent interest rate, a homeowner in North Brunswick with a median home assessment would have to pay an additional $136 in annual property taxes, or about 37 cents per day.
Our children’s education is worth this small increase in property taxes. I encourage all the voters of North Brunswick to vote "yes" for the bond referendum on Jan. 22.
Vivian Blanco
North Brunswick