The drums are starting to beat, and the clouds of doom are beginning to gather. Stronger words ("crisis" and "mediocre") are being suggested, and blame for budget cuts is being put on the state government and politicians.
Members of the East Brunswick Board of Education (also known as "Never-Never Land"), you should know that in the outside world, things are not as they used to be. People are out of work, and businesses are merging, which results in job losses, layoffs and rising costs of health insurance, medicine, car insurance, food, utilities and state and local taxes.
The whole country has to readjust to upcoming and present times. Things are getting tough. No one wants to cut the basic, fundamental needs of any child.
The possible cuts suggested were: the world language program for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders; reducing the number of class periods; cutting some of the "special" this and "special" that; and monitoring and policing the activities and waste of the entire Board of Education system. Many areas can be cut without affecting the basic, fundamental needs of any child.
The old cliché, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" would normally apply, but in "Once Upon a Time Land," that is not likely.
The record-breaking budget that will be presented to the taxpayers in April comes right after the $2 million-plus bond taxpayers have to foot for the next trillion years. After it’s paid, no refunds.
One way to save taxpayers money is to avoid opening polls to vote on school budgets. Need you ask why?
One board member ripped up and discarded the list of potential budget cuts out of disgust and frustration. However, disgust and frustration are not new to the taxpayers of East Brunswick after defeating two budgets and having to face increased taxes to pay for an additional $2 million-plus bond.
Most seniors live on fixed incomes and do not have children attending schools. They have paid their dues. So, any cuts are welcome to all taxpayers.
Douglas Daigneault
East Brunswick