Letter to the editor
To the editor:
I read with interest the letter from Robert Lerman in last week’s newspaper ("Answers not enough to vote ‘yes,’ " Aug. 30, 2002, Page 10A) concerning the upcoming East Windsor Regional schools referendum. I wish it was that easy. To say that "housing in the school district is essentially fixed and that enrollment will level off" is only a dream. Take a ride past our many apartment complexes with fields of kids. Yes, the new housing developments will probably level off in time, but not the apartments.
It is a different time in our community and in this country. Large, growing families from all over the world are moving here. Demographers can no longer trust old formulas projecting two kids in a four-bedroom house. Apartments can and do hold two to four kids in one bedroom! I’m sure the school district would love to project enrollments 20 to 30 years out as Mr. Lerman requests. However, I don’t think they make crystal balls big enough. I do not believe our East Windsor schools will be under capacity within 10 years. In fact, unless housing laws change or are enforced, we will most likely need to build, again.
I understand from school district officials that enrollment was booming this summer in many of our schools. They were even forced to hire more teachers. Over 100 additional students enrolled at Hightstown High School alone.
Whether we like it or not our community is changing and growing. When the kids come, by law they have to be educated. School board President Bruce Ettman is trying. Along with his board, he is attempting to plan for the present and future needs of this community. No one knows what tomorrow will bring in our uncertain world. Educating our children is the only future defense we have. As you close the curtain in the voting booth on Sept. 24, make the right decision and support the referendum. Do it for the kids, your community and your country.
Carla Taylor
East Windsor

