Seniors oppose school plan

By Davy James, Staff Writer
   MONROE — When voters approved a $41.9 million referendum to build a new high school, they did so despite five of the township’s seven adult communities voting against the proposal.
   The referendum is expected to bridge the gap between an $82.9 million referendum approved in December 2003 to build the school and increases due to the rising cost of materials and services.
   Referendum supporters beat out the opposition by almost 1,000 votes, with 3,709 voting in its favor and 2,745 voting against it.
   Once built, the 365,000-square-foot facility will be able to accommodate 1,800 students, with room for expansion. The three-story building will have a media center, common rooms and a performing arts center that can transition into lecture halls.
   On Tuesday, 3,217 registered voters living in Monroe’s adult communities voted in the election. Of that, 1,785 people voted against the school, while 1,432 people voted for it. Voters at seven of the other eight polling places supported the plan.
   Greenbriar at Whittingham had the highest voter turnout, with 798 people, or 58 percent of registered voters there, casting ballots. Of those voters, 426 people voted against the plan and 372 voted for it.
   At Encore Monroe, 217 people, or 32.4 percent of registered voters, cast ballots. Of those, 165 Encore residents voted against the school and 52 voted for it.
   In Rossmoor, 503 people, or 36.6 percent of registered voters, cast ballots. Of those, 268 people voted against the school and 235 voted for the plan.
   At The Ponds, 308 people, or 33.9 percent of registered voters, voted. Of those, 132 people voted for the plan and 176 voted against it.
   The Regency at Monroe had a turnout of 345 voters, or 36.9 percent of registered voters. Of those, 280 Regency residents voted against the school and 65 voted for it.
   Not all of the adult communities rejected the plan, however. In Clearbrook, 522 people, or 38.8 percent of registered voters, turned out. Of those, 296 supported the plan and 226 voted against it.
   Concordia also approved the plan, with 524 people, or 43.3 percent of registered voters, casting ballots. Of that, 280 people voted for the plan while 244 voted against it.
   Many voters from the adult communities had concerns about the tax increase the referendum would necessitate.
   The approved project will carry a tax rate increase of .0299 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Under that rate, the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $175,102 will pay about $52 more in annual property taxes.
   ”I voted no,” said Harry Flieglman of Greenbriar. “We pay too much taxes and we live on a fixed income.”
   Other Greenbriar residents who voted against the plan agreed that the cost of the school will put too much financial strain on them. They also had concerns about building the school in Thompson Park and ruining the landscape. However, others said the cost of not building the school would be greater down the road.
   ”I’m a substitute teacher in the high school,” said Frank Gilbert of Greenbriar, who voted for the school. “It’s overcrowded and costs over a million dollars for trailers.”
   Due to a district-wide increase in student population, $1.1 million a year is being spent on 61 trailers that are being used as portable classrooms.
   Other voters agreed.
   ”We need the school,” said Judy Perkus, a Rossmoor resident who supported the referendum. “Educating the children is so important for the community. We’re already spending the money on trailers at the school. It’s just a waste at this point.”
   Other Rossmoor residents feel the tax increase will be unjustified.
   ”We’re already taxed a ridiculous amount in this town,” said Marie Delhery. “Now they’re asking us to spend a huge amount on this school? It’s just a waste of money.”
   In Clearbrook, where the majority of voters approved the plan, reaction was mixed.
   ”Children need a place to get an excellent education,” said Duane Post. “We won’t have a good community if they don’t.”
   Some Clearbrook voters felt a plan drafted in 2003, in which a hired consultant advised that the current school could be added on to, was largely ignored. Other Clearbrook voters felt it would be foolish to vote against the school, because it would cost more money in the long run.
   ”We need the school for the kids,” said Harold Wexler of Clearbrook. “We already committed to three-quarters of the plan. It’s ridiculous not to finish it.”
   While some seniors had problems with the location of the school site in Thompson Park, others felt the location would be cost-effective.
   ”We support the location of the school because it would cost less,” said Joan and Howard Appleson of Concordia. “They already have the sports facilities to share.”
   Despite the majority of seniors voting against the school, many had a positive outlook on the approval of the plan.
   ”The school and the kids are an investment,” said Steven Eisler of Clearbrook. “An investment in the future.”