Christopher O’Leary, Bordentown City
I write this letter to correct misinformation stated by Committeeman Bruce Hill in a recent edition of the Register-News. (In the interest of full-disclosure I am a parent, an employee of the BRSD, and an active member of the Bordentown Regional Education Association.) Mr. Hill was quoted, saying “ If you look at what the school board is going to do at their next school board election, they’re (the Board of Education) going to raise taxation by $1 million, not for the kids, but for teachers’ raises. I’m telling everybody to vote it down because $1 million for raises is ridiculous.”
While Mr. Hill is entitled to his opinion, I believe that opinions only carry weight when supported by facts. Mr. Hill’s opinion is not supported by fact.
The public is entitled to facts and the fact is that the local tax levy, based on the User Friendly Budget on the Bordentown Regional School District’s website is more than 50% lower than the alleged $1 million. This fact alone is enough to allow Mr. Hill’s comment to be dismissed out of hand. In addition, Mr. Hill should also be aware that the BREA saved the school district $272,000 in fiscal 2010-2011 by agreeing to a six-month deferment of our salary increase.
Mr. Hill’s characterization also implies that the staff of the district acts in spite of the students interests instead of on their behalf. I think I speak on behalf of all public educators when I say that my purpose is to work for the welfare of my students. I believe that this is the primary reason that anyone has for entering public school education.
As a long-time resident Mr. Hill should know better than to make such blanket statements about our schools. One of the reasons that Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, and Fieldsboro have become such desirable places to live is because of the dedicated efforts of the administration, the efforts of the Board of Education and the efforts of the staff of the BRSD. Communities are only as strong as their schools, and while we may disagree on many subjects this is not one of them.
As Mr. Hill is entitled to his opinion, so is the public and we have a responsibility to express this opinion based on fact. I hope that this information will serve to inform the community, engage the community in reasonable debate, and encourage all residents to exercise their right to vote yes for the school budget on April 27.