WestWindsor-Plainsboro school budget deserves support

Sonali Atre of Plainsboro
    This year the West Windsor-Plainsboro school board has once again presented a reasonable budget for approval. The total budget increase is only 1.6 percent — one of the lowest among all public entities in the area. This is in spite of expected increase in student population of about 1 percent. Due to sound fiscal management during previous years, the budget also returns over 6 million dollars to tax payers in the form of tax relief resulting in only a half percent increase in total tax levy collected from both townships.
   Due to change in the method for dividing taxes from assessed valuation to per pupil the tax rates in both townships have changed unpredictably during the past few years. However, for a Plainsboro taxpayer like me, the good news is that the tax rate for the coming school year (2009-10) of $1.45 will be exactly the same as it was in 2006. How can anyone in Plainsboro not support an excellent school system that has not changed my school property taxes over a three year period?
   Due to the same reasons both incumbents Tony Fleres and Anjani Gharpure deserve unqualified support from Plainsboro voters.
   Tony has been a part of the administration and facilities committee that oversaw construction of items approved under the referendum. As a parent with daughter at High School South, I am glad that all referendum items were completed on time and within budget.
   Anjani has been part of the finance and curriculum and instruction committees. As a parent I have seen steady improvement in education and opportunities offered to all students. The Columbia writing project and differentiated instruction initiatives undertaken by the district have paid dividends in terms of improved education for all kids not just those with exceptional abilities. It is important for the voters to affirm the steady progress the district has made over the last several years by re-electing the incumbents Tony Fleres and Anjani Gharpure, and supporting the school budget on April 21.
Sonali Atre
Plainsboro