LETTERS: Clarifying misinformation

To the editor:
   
I would like to clarify some misinformation in Harold V. Kane’s letter to the editor in the April 29 issue of The Cranbury Press.
   According to the state Department of Education Comparative Spending Guide of March 2004 (the latest published statistics), Monroe’s per-pupil spending for the 2002-2003 school year was $9,712, which was less than the state’s average of $10,198. Per-pupil expenditure in any district does not include items such as tuition, current enrollment, transportation jointures, debt service for past bond referendums, etc.
   As of March 31, 2005, Monroe had a total enrollment of 4,356 students and 60 out-of-district placements, up 291 students from the same period as last year, not the 4,041 students as Mr. Kane suggested.
   In answer to the question regarding the "projected" 200 students for next school year, I would answer that they are already here. According to the real estate section of the Star Ledger, dated April 29, Monroe has the highest number of single-family building permits issued by a municipality in the state of New Jersey — 704. Kindergarten registration is up for next year, and 40 new students were registered in the month of April. The projected increase of 300 students is right on target with our demographer’s report.
   With an increase in student population comes increased costs in areas such as staffing, healthcare benefits, transportation, special education services, programs and instructional space in the form of trailers, not to mention desks, chairs, books, etc.
   I would invite Mr. Kane to visit our board office to see for himself just how well the Board of Education manages the student-centered budget while we continue to meet the requirements of the New jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and state mandates. As we have in the past, we will continue to take into consideration the taxpayers’ ability to pay while meeting the educational needs of the students of Monroe.
Kathy Kolupanowich
President
Monroe Township
Board of Education