Support budget and candidates

Patricia F. Bocarsly, Plainsboro
I had the privilege of serving on the WW-P Board of Education from 2002-2008 and continue to closely follow the work of the board and administration and the accomplishments of our students and faculty. One cannot open a newspaper in Mercer or Middlesex counties without reading about the amazing achievements of the students in the West Windsor- Plainsboro school district, ranging from their academic achievements to their talents in the arts to their prowess on the athletic fields. Over the past seven years, these measures of accomplishment have continued to grow despite the board’s keeping the budget increases modest and below those of other local high-achieving districts.
   The board and administration have developed a budget for the 09/10 school year that is once again fiscally responsible while protecting the core educational values and programs of the district. This year’s proposed budget increase of 1.6 percent is exceptionally modest and will result in only a 0.5 percent increase in the total tax levy for the townships. For Plainsboro, this translates to a tax rate that is identical to the tax rate in 2006, the year after the reassessment. Our district’s costs/pupil are $300 below the state average and well below those of Princeton and other peer districts; likewise, our district’s total administrator costs are $190,000 below the state average.
   During my last two years on the Board of Education, I had the pleasure to serve with both of the incumbents from Plainsboro who are running for re-election this year; Anjani Gharpure and Tony Fleres are talented, experienced board members who have brought much insight to their current board committee assignments of Curriculum and Instruction, and Facilities and Administration, respectively.
   The learning curve for board members is very steep; Anjani and Tony’s experience and talent is especially needed at a time of transition for the district as two new assistant superintendents will be recruited to fill the positions with these same two areas of administrative oversight.
   I urge Plainsboro voters to come out on Tuesday, April 21 to both approve the budget and re-elect Anjani Gharpure and Tony Fleres.
Patricia F. Bocarsly
Plainsboro