Gov. James McGreevey visits Washington Township to address school overcrowding.
By: Cynthia Koons
WASHINGTON Gov. James E. McGreevey lauded statewide school construction efforts during a visit to Pond Road Middle School last week, while admonishing school boards about raising property taxes two messages that resonated in Washington Township’s growing school district.
His words come as the Washington Board of Education prepares this year’s budget.
Earlier this month, the school board unveiled a preliminary $25.3 million budget, which would increase the school tax rate from $2.12 to $2.38 per $100 of assessed valuation. A resident with a home assessed at the township average of $175,000 would pay an additional $455 in school taxes if the budget in its current form is approved.
The board is seeking to balance a $50 million high school construction project and growing student body with limited state funding to offset the costs.
For the governor, the past month has been dedicated to touring New Jersey to promote his administration’s budget. In Washington Township, he commended the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC), led by Al McNeill, which is overseeing and accelerating construction projects in hundreds of municipalities.
The SCC provides grants to school districts to fund the state share of school facilities projects in districts that receive less than 55 percent of their budgets from the Department of Education. The SCC provides the state share of eligible project costs for school facilities as determined by the Department of Education.
"Education is the cornerstone of our administration and our education initiatives have focused on going back to basics," Gov. McGreevey said. "Basics like literacy, teacher preparation, can only succeed if children are being educated in safe, modern classrooms."
Speaking at Pond Road Middle School, which is currently undergoing $5 million worth of construction, he addressed growing enrollment statewide.
"There are currently more third grades in New Jersey than ninth grades," he said. "Overcrowding is only going to get worse."
The Washington Board of Education is working to accommodate a 17 percent student enrollment increase over the past two years, Superintendent Paul Harren said. Board Secretary Chris Mullins said the district’s state aid was established before the SCC was started.
Gov. McGreevey said the state, with the SCC, will work to acquire new sites for building projects statewide and reminded school boards to "ease the property tax burden" that these development costs affect.
"In these tough fiscal times, it’s more important than ever that we end runaway spending, minimize borrowing and balance the budget," he said. "While at the same time making necessary investments in our children."
He said his administration made "tough cuts elsewhere" to provide the $200 million in school aid that is being allocated this year after last year’s state education budget freeze. He cited the cutting of 2,000 state employees as one way the government restructured its budget to financially support school districts.
"Critics across the state said that aid was insufficient, (leading to) property tax increases," he said. But he said that municipalities that increase the number of school employees could have an effect on local taxes.
"It is simply not enough for the state to be the only entity to tighten its belt," he said. "Local agencies cannot view state aid as entitlement."
He said local governments need to remember to be accountable to their taxpaying constituents.
"When the economy falters and revenues go down, the government must adjust its budget the way businesses do," he said. "It’s critically important for municipal governments . . . to do the same."
School board member Richard Kasper said that with the board in the midst of developing its school budget, the governor’s message was relevant in Washington.
He said the board is working "aggressively, internally" to keep the property tax increase to a minimum.
"We are going to feel the pain here as well," he said.
Board member Kevin Schick said Washington is in a unique position in the state because of its rapid growth.
"We are not a typical district," he said. "Without an increase in ratables it’s almost impossible to keep taxes flat."
He added the cost of special education is rising, and with other fixed costs "out of our control, it makes (budgeting) very difficult for us."

