High cost doesn’t
mean good education
To the editor:
Every year New Jersey publishes its data about the schools in the Garden State at www.nj.com/news/reportcard.
Every year, South Hunterdon High School shows the highest cost per pupil in the county: $20,337. Delaware Valley spends only $14,241.
The administrative cost per student fell again by a very surprising 26 percent, which, herewith, is followed by a 32.9 percent decline in the previous year.
A combined 2005-06 sharp decline of 58.9 represents a staggering number, and one wonders how a previous administration could have spent 58.9 percent more than the present administration. Was it just total mismanagement or was it a more serious problem like irregularities with monetary funds?
This question, of course, arises in the light the previous superintendent, principal and assistant principal were either fired or let go or resigned a little more than two and a half years ago. Maybe the Board of Education can shed some more light on the facts, which, in the past, it obviously has declined or not found necessary or whatsoever.
Even with the cut in the last two and a half years, the cost of administration at South remains the second highest in the county and could be cut further. It is difficult to see how a small school needs two building administrators a superintendent and a principal followed by a vice principal. One position could be easily eliminated.
Remember, in a normal district, South would be just a very small school, which really needs only one building administrator.
It is not true spending large amounts of money on education signifies good education in the district. Otherwise, South would provide a very good education, which it does not.
There are high schools in New Jersey, which count a similar number of students as South. They provide excellent education at about half the price of South.
West Amwell
New Hope Arts
thanks supporters
To the editor:
New Hope Arts Inc. thanks everyone who contributed to the sold-out fundraising dinner at Hamilton’s Grill Room in Lambertville to benefit our efforts to create an arts center.
The first round of applause for the evening must go to Jim Hamilton, who has been a leading supporter of New Hope Arts Inc. since its inception and has committed to creating an annual fundraiser for the not-for-profit organization.
More heartfelt applause must go to the amazing chefs, Mark Miller, Hamilton’s Grill Room, Andrew and Drew Abruzzese, Pineville Tavern, Ernie Virok and Dave Virok, The Homestead Inn/Chick & Nello’s, who created a memorable menu, and benefit sponsor Babe Kozlowski, Canal Liquors, musicians George Mesterhazy, Paula Johns and the New Impressionists, ticket sponsors Larry Keller and Richard Hirschfield to Tom and Alycia Scannapieco of Scannapieco Family Holdings and to all the special donors who brought our group one step closer to establishing a world class contemporary arts center in New Hope.
Celebrate the arts!
executive director
New Hope Arts Inc.
New Hope

