Three hopefuls agree they won’t be able to cut the budget.
By: Emily Craighead
WEST WINDSOR There is one wish all three township candidates for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Board of Education told Village Grande residents they can’t grant.
They won’t be able to lower the budget.
However, Richard Kaye, Adam Shrager and Randall Tucker, who are running for two three-year seats on the board, did tell the audience of about 80 during a candidates’ forum Tuesday evening that if elected, they will use their individual expertise to maintain the district’s reputation for excellence.
"The three candidates are eminently qualified, and they did an excellent job of giving us the opportunity to know where they stood on different issues," said Paul Pitluk of the Village Grande Civic Association. "They didn’t equivocate, and they didn’t pussyfoot around."
Selma Levy attended the debate because, like many Village Grande residents older than 55 and living on a fixed income, she said she is concerned about growing school budgets and the accompanying tax increases.
"I wanted to see what the expenses are and see what (suggestions the candidates) might give to reduce taxes without cutting major programs in the school system," Ms. Levy said.
The four questions the civic association’s education committee posed to the candidates addressed prioritizing budget needs, limiting spending, limiting co-curricular activities and eliminating waste.
"Basically, this community is worried about budgets and very concerned about the level of education," Mr. Pitluk said.
Mr. Kaye, a resident of Coneflower Lane at Village Grande, said his 39-year career as a teacher and administrator taught him a few tricks about interpreting budgets.
"No principal knew how to hide money better than I, so I know where to look for it," he said.
On the subject of limiting spending, Mr. Shrager of Cambridge Way referred to restrictions imposed by the state budget-cap law known as S-1701.
"Something we all have in our favor now is S-1701," Mr. Shrager said. "One of the real interesting things about S-1701 is the budget you vote for is the budget the school district will have to stick to."
Mr. Tucker said under Superintendent Robert L. Loretan, the district has already moved toward eliminating waste.
"One of the things the administration has done most recently is bringing special services in-house," said Mr. Tucker of Jill Drive. Under S-1701, he said, "Now it’s up to the board and the administration to come up with innovative ways to deliver the services we expect."
Mr. Kaye said because most of the budget costs personnel, benefits, electricity, heating rise each year, the overall budget won’t decrease.
The candidates’ three-minute responses were applauded equally by the audience, and while the debate was spirited, the candidates’ visions for the district often were in agreement.
"There are nuances many of our residents, being former educators, are able to sift through," Mr. Pitluk said.
All three candidates cautioned against cutting co-curricular programs when asked to name one they would choose to eliminate.
"Co-curricular activities can make a difference in the community," Mr. Kaye said. "Kids involved in school activities are less likely to get into trouble. You’ve really got to consider what kind of environment we give our children."
Mr. Shrager, who said he discovered a love for music when introduced to the viola in a New York City public school, also said it is important for the school district to support sports, music and other programs.
"I do know a system of this quality clearly extends to after-school activities," Mr. Shrager said.
As a manager responsible for hiring students out of college to work at Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Tucker said leadership activities are among the most important experiences he looks for in a résumé.
"It is those things that round out their educational life," he said.
Raymond Ward, a Village Grande resident who said he came to the debate with an open mind, said on his way out he was still undecided about how to vote in the school elections. However, he said was pleased to have the opportunity to learn more about what the candidates would do for the schools and the tax rate.
"Obviously, everyone would like taxes to go down," Mr. Ward said. "You always think about it, but might not be able to make it happen. Like (the candidates) say, there are some things they have no control over."
Mr. Pitluk said although the Village Grande Civic Association has had questions about school district spending in the past, most residents support the school system.
"We’re not slashers," he said. "We don’t believe in that, but we do believe in the budget reflecting the educational and economic climate."
The evening ended with Board of Education president Hemant Marathe briefly presenting the proposed 2005-206 school budget.
The Board of Education candidates will make their next public appearance 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Grover Middle School auditorium for a forum moderated by a member of the Princeton Area League of Women Voters. That forum is also expected to include an appearance by the lone Plainsboro candidate for a seat on the board, incumbent Patricia Bocarsly.
Monday’s forum will be broadcast on cable channel 27 in West Windsor and channel 3 in Plainsboro at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and at 3 p.m. April 16 and 17.

