As a member of the Monroe Township Board of Education, I take full responsibility for the failure of the recent bond referendum.
The reasons for the proposed referendum are real, are with us now, and are worsening daily. We chose a plan that addressed all of the facilities problems that we are facing and will face in the near future. My mind saw a plan that fulfilled the needs of our children for many years. My heart felt that this was the plan that our children deserved, for surely they deserve the absolute best.
But when I saw the final price tag and the small amount of state aid that we would receive, my gut told me that this referendum would go down faster than the Titanic. I still supported the bond everywhere I traveled in Monroe, but the feedback I got prepared me for the trouncing it received Sept. 24. And make no mistake — the bond was destroyed by a negative vote ratio that had been unknown to Monroe for decades.
So where do we go from here? The answer to me is obvious. The overwhelming reason given to me by "no" voters was price, price and price. There were other reasons given, but they were all smoke and mirrors. Those who were honest enough to admit it said the overall cost of $113 million was way beyond what we could afford and sent sticker shock right through them. They turned off at the number — period.
The explanations of why it was needed were fruitless. It was over. I would have loved to have bought my two children big, expensive cars, but all I could afford were Honda Civics. The Hondas more than served their purpose as dependable, safe and good transportation. So what we need is a plan that doesn’t send voters into sticker shock but will still provide for the needs of our children.
The only plan that accomplishes that, the only plan that has a chance of passing, the only plan that I believe will be supported townwide would be to build a new middle school and renovate the existing middle school into an elementary school. This addresses most of our needs. The new middle school would house grades 6, 7 and 8. This creates space at Woodland and Brookside schools by taking out the sixth grade. Our existing middle school will be turned into an elementary school and would house our new enrollment that is anticipated. Then, a few years down the road, we can expand the existing high school to accommodate the larger enrollment that is heading that way.
The numbers that I have seen suggest we can build a new middle school for three grades and renovate our existing middle school into an elementary school for less than half of the last referendum. Sticker-shock — gone. Students needs — met. Township vote — favorable. This is the plan I will support. It is the only plan that has a chance.
The Board of Education was clobbered with a two-by-four in September. Once was enough for the voters to get my full attention. I hope my fellow board members agree.
Jay Ellis Brown
Member
Monroe Township Board of Education