Support the West Windsor-Plainsboro school budget

Diane Hasling of West Windsor
    Since September, we have seen many investments decline significantly in value. Yet there is one nearby that continues to yield an excellent return—the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District.
   The district’s fiscal management of our tax dollars is excellent. This year’s district audit commended the district on the savings it accomplished by refinancing debt, the recovery of $4M owed by the state, and prudent decisions in allocating funds. The district has earned a ‘AAA’ financial rating, the highest possible—there are only 26 school districts in the U.S. with this rating.
   As a result of a recent voter referendum, student enrollment has replaced the use of equalized real estate valuation to determine each township’s share of the budget. This year it means the taxes in Plainsboro will increase slightly more than in West Windsor. But as the voters agreed, the idea of paying for the students actually being sent by each township is much easier to understand and seems fair to all.
   Like everyone in this economy, I would like to see no tax increase. Yet I recognize the reality of contractual obligations, energy costs, and increasing enrollments. I believe the current board has done an admirable job in keeping the budget increase to a minimum. Our return on investment is quite high—we are preparing the next generation extremely well, and our townships are excellent places to live in large part because of our schools.
   I encourage everyone to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 21, and hope you will join me in voting ‘yes’ on the school budget.
Diane Hasling
West Windsor