For the April 29 issue.
Officials should take note of message sent by budget vote
To the editor:
I’m sure everyone is aware that the East Windsor Regional School District budget was defeated by a wide margin last week. This is the first time in almost nine years a budget has been rejected and a sign of the growing fatigue felt by taxpayers. We should not be proud of rejecting a budget that affects our children, however, increasing and ineffective budgets over recent years comprised largely of rising teacher’s wages/benefits and resulting in falling grades have been counterproductive to what the budgeted funds are ultimately intended for, and that is to provide for the best education for our children.
We don’t believe that it is unreasonable to expect that increases in salaries and the overall budget should be accompanied with positive results in performance and scores. A.J. Groves, a member of the East Windsor Alliance for Property Tax Reform board, received almost 200 votes as a write-in candidate with almost no campaigning, indicating that taxpayers are ready for and expect change.
We will continue to support A.J. and additional candidates for next year’sschool board election.
We appeal to our municipal government and school district to take note of the message that is being sent by taxpayers and parents. We petition the school board to be judicious in current and future contract negotiations and budgetary allocations so as to better benefit our children. We implore our mayor and council to get involved in this growing crisis that affects the overall wellbeing of the citizens that she represents. We ask for the continued support of the taxpayers and parents of East Windsor/Hightstown and their commitment to educating and involving themselves. If our school board and municipal legislators know that we are involved and watching, it automatically raises their awareness to accountability.
The East Windsor Alliance for Property Tax Reform is a non-for profit organization made up of local taxpayers and parents dedicated to bringing about positive change in our community. That change includes "fairness in taxation", "quality of education" and "fiscal accountability" at all levels. We are anxious to work together with the governing body, school district and the taxpayers of our township to bring about change that will make our community a better place for all of us. If you are interested in finding out more about us and acquiring access to more information that will help keep you informed, please come visit us at www.eastwindsoralliance.org.Thank You.
Andrew J. Debkowski
Gregory M. Gershuny
Co-founders,
East Windsor Alliance
for Property Tax Reform
Don’t believe what you hear from school district officials
To the editor:
The recent resounding defeat of the proposed East Windsor Regional School District budget offers you and the Council a unique opportunity to address the concerns of the overburdened taxpayers of this high tax district who, through their own hard work, can afford to own their own homes.
As you know, I was one of a group of people who, in 1992 and 1993, fought back against high property taxes resulting from runaway spending by the school board. Our most important achievement was starting the public dialogue on taxes and school spending. As a result, our property tax rates remained relatively flat for several years. But now they want $250, $500, even $1,000 more from each and every homeowner and that’s just for next year.
As you consider how to cut this outrageous budget, you will hear several "red herrings" from the education establishment, including:
"Low voter turnout means the decision is not necessarily a reflection of resident opinion." Superintendent Ronald Bolandi actually had the gall to say that to the Herald. This year’s turnout was huge compared to past years. But why is the turnout usually low? Simple. School elections are nearly secret. Intentionally. They’re held on an obscure day with restricted hours. Why? So school districts can take as much money as they please out of taxpayers’ pockets without any interference from those same pesky taxpayers. You want high voter turnout? Hold the school elections on the first Tuesday in November. Please.
"It’s for the Students." No, it’s not. It’s for the teachers. Look at the figures. Nearly $53 million for compensation versus $1.2 million for instructional supplies, $230,00 for textbooks, and $1.3 million in capital spending. It’s for the teachers.
"It’s because of lack of funding from the state." It doesn’t matter whether the money comes out of your pocket and travels to Trenton before it comes back to the EWRSD or whether it goes straight to the schools. It still comes from your pocket. The real problem is unrestrained school spending with little regard for property tax impact. Just an extra $1,000, right?
"The Budget Can’t Be Cut." It’s not just about cutting budget items. Sometimes you have to challenge your own assumptions. That means redeploying staff, cutting positions, changing programs. There is simply no pressure on the education community to run an efficient operation. Educators often act with a sense of entitlement, as if they live in a different world. But the very real money they take from our pockets is earned with very real hard work in the real world.
Mayor Janice Mironov, your actions here are crucial. Your failure to cut this budget substantially will send a message that "If you’ve worked hard enough to afford a home, Democrats don’t care about you. You might as well become a Republican." That’s the wrong message at the wrong time for our party.
And if you don’t cut this budget, you won’t be able to send out your annual "Don’t-blame-us-for-your-high-taxes-blame-the-EWRSD" pie chart. Because this year, it will be your fault.
East Windsor
Teacher sets record straight about incorrect Latin phrase
To the editor:
I just wanted to commend the Herald again for an excellent, incisive story ("Teachers prepare for Fulbright trip to Japan," April 22), especially since it featured me.
I just wanted to quickly clarify two things:
Firstly, this trip would not be possible without the extraordinary support of the administration, both district-wide as well as in my individual school building. Insomuch, I would like to personally express my gratitude for this incredible opportunity to Mr. Ron Bolandi, our superintendent of schools, and Ms. Ginny Kearns, principal of the Melvin H. Kreps Middle School. It says a tremendous amount about our district that out of so few teachers chosen for this unique honor, two come from our very own schools.
Secondly, I would like to state for the record that the Latin phrase I used in the article was "tabula rasa," meaning "blank slate," rather than the printed "tableau rasa," which is in itself an interesting mix of language indeed! The only reason I make this clarification is for the sake of Mr. Michael Lawrence, my ninth grade English honors teacher, who taught me the aforementioned phrase on the first day of that class, some 22 years ago. Mr. Lawrence is still teaching at Hightstown High School today and I don’t want him to think that I didn’t hang on his every word lo those many years ago!
Thank you again for your continued support of the East Windsor Regional School District and our many successes.
Robt Seda-Schreiber
Princeton
The writer teaches art at the Melvin H. Kreps Middle School.
Volunteers thanked for effort to improve parking lots
To the editor:
On Saturday, April 16, more than 20 volunteers came together at the parking lot on Stockton Street in Hightstown and turned and eyesore into something eye-catching. Many of these volunteers came from local organizations, or were just people who were interested in being a part of helping make our town more attractive.
Known as the "Slope Beautification Project," the area was planted with lily turf, a spreading groundcover. Special thanks to the following for either their monetary and/or muscle contribution: Hightstown Woman’s Club, The Friday Club, Rocky Brook Garden Club, Hightstown Housing Authority, Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society, Ladies Auxiliary of Hightstown Engine Co. 1, Hightstown Apollo Masonic Lodge, Hightstown Public Works Department, Around the Garden, Growing Concern Inc., Hightstown Pharmacy, and Johnnie’s Deli for the refreshments.
On behalf of the greater Hightstown-East Windsor Improvement Project (GHEWIP), thank you all so much.
Gary Grubb
Hightstown
Deer should not be blamed for human interference
To the editor:
I’m responding to Michele Byers’s op-ed, "Deer threaten state’s native biodiversity," (April 22) in which she scapegoats deer for the spread of nonnative plant species.
In New Jersey, it’s clear that with too many of one species humans we stand to wipe out thousands of other native plant and animal species.
To find the reasons, start with your local garden center that is selling hundreds of varieties of nonnative plant species to people who want to landscape their huge yards surrounding their McMansions. Also, if you’re concerned about a decline in bird populations, look to the garden centers and hardware stores that sell pesticides. Next, look at the building industry, that has replaced millions of acres of wildlife habitat with asphalt.
Ms. Byers, why don’t you also blame the recent floods on deer? It’s not too late.
East Windsor

