School district seeks tax rally support

The district is organizing a Wednesday charter bus trip to East Brunswick.

By Ruth Luse
   The Garden State Coalition of Schools is holding a conference, "Statewide Summit: Public Support for Public Education," in the auditorium of East Brunswick High School at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
   The coalition’s goal is "influencing the Legislature to fund public education" for Hopewell Valley and other districts like it, according to Margaret DeGennaro, Hopewell Valley Regional School District community liaison.
   The focus of the session is expected to include: problems with current funding systems and revenue sources, perspectives on school finance in New Jersey, and potential reforms for progress.
   Valley schools Superintendent Robert Sopko is seeking citizens interested in representing the Valley at the summit. "We are working with our parent organizations to rally for tax reform and our fair share of state funding. We would like to have a strong show of support from our community at the summit."
   The district is organizing a charter bus trip to East Brunswick. The bus or buses will leave from the Administration Building (425 S. Main St., Pennington) at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 12. The cost will be $10 per person (checks should be made payable to Hopewell Valley Regional School District).
   Those interested in taking the trip should RSVP to the Superintendent’s Office at 737-4000, ext. 2101. Reservations must be received by Monday, Feb. 10.
   The Garden State Coalition of Schools is a statewide, grassroots volunteer organization. Members include 120 middle- to high-income school districts. Organization members include parents, community members, school board members and school administrators. The focus of the coalition is to address state funding for schools and to support member districts in educational lobbying efforts.
   Mercer County members of the coalition, in addition to Hopewell Valley, include: Ewing Township, Lawrence Township, Princeton Regional and West Windsor-Plainsboro. Montgomery Township, in Somerset County, also is a member.
   In a coalition document distributed at the Jan. 21 Hopewell Valley regional Board of Education meeting, the group called on state government to "reduce and stabilize reliance on property taxes." The goal, the coalition says, should be at least a 50-50 split between state and local revenues for funding public education. Local officials say property taxes pay about 90 percent of public education costs in the Hopewell Valley district.
   The coalition also called upon the state to pay for all programs it requires local districts to implement. The coalition stresses that it wants fiscal reform without sacrificing quality of education.
   The conference at East Brunswick is expected to include presentations by experts on school finance and state revenue.
   "State leaders and legislators have been invited to listen and learn along with others who attend," said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the coalition. "Time will be allowed for legislators to react at the end of the program if they so choose."
   For more information on the Feb. 12 conference, the coalition may be contacted online at [email protected], by phone at 396-7620, or by mail at 210 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608.