In last year’s school budget, it was presented that because of declining enrollment in Brick Township schools (projected to be reduced by approximately 250 students — figures that the then-superintendent prepared), the district would close three schools. This was in addition to reductions in enrollment since 2003 of nearly 1,000 additional students.
These students would be transferred to other grammar schools without adversely increasing class size. The projected savings would amount to about 1,925,000 taxpayer dollars for the 2008-09 school year.
Imagine, if you will, that some of this savings could have been used to help reduce your taxes and or used to improve the schools buildings (infrastructure) or curriculum for the students?
The current Board of Education (BOE) stated after the last election that there would be no schools closed because there was an error made and there was no reduction in enrollment in Brick, as previously stated.
This was not correct, as the actual loss of students from Oct. 15, 2007, through Oct. 15, 2008, was 209 students. (Source of information was the Ocean County fall survey, dated Jan. 26, 2009.
These losses are likely to continue going forward, based on a demographic study that the BOE did on the school district last year. The school enrollment has decreased by over 10 percent, or 1,167 students, from 2003 to Oct. 15, 2008.
Why then is the current BOE intent on squandering taxpayer dollars and not closing some schools at a time when the economy has tanked and the current commissioner of education has warned school districts to effect economic responsibility? The closure of some schools or the Primary Learning Center is warranted and would be fiscally responsible. Think of it, had the Woska board taken a lead from the McCarthy board, two schools or the Primary Learning Center (Laurelton has been closed) would have been closed this year and the district would have saved a large sum of money. Going forward into next year, those dollars would continue to accumulate to additional savings and many millions of dollars over five years.
This could have saved the average taxpayer hundreds of dollars on their school taxes over this period of time. What could the district have done with half of the savings going to improve the education program, in addition to giving the taxpayers some well-deserved relief?
Can you afford to allow the Woska board to continue this fiscally irresponsible behavior by squandering your tax dollars rather than doing the right thing for the district and students?
The time to act is now before the budget is set in stone.
Eliminating pre-agenda meetings and copies of the agenda, which includes all the information in detail that the BOE votes on, is one example of how this board is keeping the public uninformed and out of touch, which seems to be what this BOE is very happy with. Eliminating committee reports is another example of keeping the public in the dark and at arm’s length.
The above actions should be reversed for the public’s benefit. Being able to view some of the agenda is no reason to limit the written agenda from the public, as the savings would be miniscule.
John Talty
Former Board
of Education Member
Brick