To the editor:
As the editor, and my fellow South Brunswick residents know, I have been an occasional writer to this forum on various subjects pertaining to our mutual interest, i.e. South Brunswick.
In the April 28 edition of the Post, I received a "double hit" of one of the best editorials, and the best letter to the editor I have read in my 20 years reading the Post.
The editorial, "Put an end to sham of budget vote," made me bolt out of my chair at dinner time Thursday with high fives, clapping in agreement. When my eyes shifted to the right to Mary Kapsidelis’ letter to the editor, "District needs to be cost effective,"; the high fives turned into high 10s, and I had to be physically restrained.
Without a doubt, this is the best, well written, well thought out, concise, letter to the editor I have ever read, and I offer kudos, congrats, and all the best to Ms. Kapsidelis.
I was preparing a letter commenting on the recent defeat of the South BrunswicksSchool budget. This letter will be cut short substantially, as I will echo Ms. Kapsidelis’ thoughts on the budget "becoming a lavish enabler and blank check for special interests," i.e. the SBEA. Ms. Kapsidelis, I could not have said it better.
Managing Editor Hank Kalet, with whom I have had major disagreements in the past because of his (my words) left-wing agenda, also struck a positive note with his description of the school budget vote being a "sham."
Lets all face facts:
The residents, voters and, most importantly, taxpayers of South Brunswick have been led around like sheep for the past 10 years. It seems like every other school budget voter is an employee, relative of an employee or contractor for the South Brunswick Board of Education.
Finally, this year, the taxpayers, have stood up on their hind legs and said "we are mad as hell, and we are not going to take it any more."
The SBEA has had its way in the last two school board elections, defeating Paul Prodromo and Barry Nathanson, because they had the gall to question teacher salaries and benefits.
As the editor indicated, the budget defeat most likely will be a sham. The Township Council, will inevitably offer a token reduction in the defeated budget. Why not? Isn’t the head of the SBEA, Sylvia Lee, appointed to various boards by and tied to the ruling (5-0) Democratic Politburo?
What I would like to happen:
1. 20 percent decrease in Board of Education administration salaries, either by headcount or salaries/benefits;
2. 10 percent decrease in teacher headcount;
3. 10 percent increase in teacher salaries to reward good teachers that are performing;
4. Most important, have all board employees contribute substantially to their health benefits.
We must bring these people back into the real world. The current system of free health insurance" is insane, costing us taxpayers millions of dollars, and is not fair.
Ken White
Monmouth Junction

