As a taxpayer and concerned parent, I attended our March 2 Board Of Education meeting here in Spotswood to get the facts as to what the impending cuts in state aid to our small school system could have.
Folks, this was an eye-opener and an educational experience. While I have always believed Spotswood ran on a bare-bones budget, this information was clearly presented in black and white. As a small town we cannot afford to lose any funding. The fact of the matter is we are in bad shape, and there is a lot at stake for everyone.
The purpose of this letter is to encourage taxpayers as well as concerned parents to get out and attend these meetings and get the facts. The next meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 16 in the Spotswood High School media center. I urge everyone with children in our school system to come together as a community. I also urge our neighbors in surrounding small communities such as Milltown (elementary/middle schools) and South River to do the same because you face similar challenges.
While I realize no school system can afford to take hits, cuts of this magnitude will be devastating to our children and hard-working, middleclass taxpayers as well as retirees who are being forced out of their own communities because they cannot afford to shoulder the burden of increasing taxes.
If you cannot attend your local meetings, then I urge you to let your voice be heard. Contact our legislators from District 18 as well as Gov. Chris Christie’s office and the Department of Education.
Cindy Zmijewski
Spotswood