Hermane Marathe, WW-P school board president
Very few people will dispute the high quality of education offered by the West Windsor Plainsboro school district. By any measure, our district is in the top 1 or 2 percent in the nation. Our students not only score high on standardized tests, but excel in all competitions they participate in. We routinely win state and national contests against tough competitors. Our teachers are highly recognized by students and peers and our administrators are actively recruited by surrounding districts.
Given the current economic environment, the question then becomes whether or not we provide this excellent education at a reasonable cost. “Excellence at a lower cost” is not just a slogan for WW-P administration and school board. Back in 2001, the school board made a decision to lower our cost by 1 percent less than inflation plus growth in student population. The results since then speak for themselves. Our per student expense at $12,457 is $319 less than the NJ state average. What other service offers the best in the class quality for a cost below average?
Our district channels money to the classroom where it will be most beneficial to the students. On per student basis, we have at least 28 percent fewer administrators than the state average. This results in our administrative expense being $190,000 less than the state average.
In my 8 years of experience on the school board, this is by far the most difficult budget to put together. The board members face the same economic and career challenges as community residents. Therefore we have thought long and hard about what represents the values of these communities given the current tough economic times.
The budget we are presenting to you represents a 1.6 percent increase from last year. Most of the increase is absorbed by the expected 1 percent increase in student population. Due to sound fiscal discipline we are returning over $ 6 million in the form of tax relief. Therefore this 1.6 percent increase in the budget results in only half a percent increase in total tax levy collected from the two townships.
As representatives of the communities of West Windsor and Plainsboro, we are putting forth a budget that truly upholds the educational values of these two communities without putting an undue burden on the taxpayers. Difficult times often require difficult choices. During such times it is important to affirm our values for education which is fundamental to our future. As the presented budget for 2009-10 school year reinforces these values, we ask for your support. Please vote “Yes” for the WW-P school budget on April 21.
Hemant Marathe, president
West Windsor-Plainsboro
Board of Education

