PRINCETON: It will be Princeton Public Schools

By, harley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   It took a while, but the Board of Education voted to change the school district’s name to Princeton Public Schools at a Feb. 7 special meeting in the John Witherspoon Middle School cafeteria.
   Board members voted, 5-4, in favor of Princeton Public Schools over the other choice of Princeton School District. Along with their personal opinions, the board members took into account community input that was received via an online survey responses and Facebook posts.
   Superintendent Judy Wilson said the online survey that was posted on the school’s website received 537 responses from a wide range of students, staff members, parents and other community members.
   She added that the results were neck and neck; 50 percent of voters wanted Princeton School District and 47 percent wanted Princeton Public Schools.
   It appeared the biggest concern in selecting either name were the initials. Ms. Wilson said one of the issues with Princeton Public Schools is that the initials PPS might be misconstrued with charter schools.
   ”Charter schools and future charter schools are public and the board doesn’t want the impression that they have jurisdiction over them,” she said.
   Board president Rebecca Cox told board members they would have to explain to people that any charter school is a separate district and not one of their schools.
   Student representative Arpi Youssoufian said the student consensus favored Princeton School District.
   ”It emphasizes Princeton and everything it embodies,” she added. “It sums up the institution and the high regard it deserves.”
   However, Ms. Youssoufian said there was concern that the initials PSD might be confused with the initials of Princeton Day School (PDS).
   Ms. Wilson added that initials are most used when referring to Princeton High School (PHS), which wouldn’t change regardless of the new district’s name.
   Board members who preferred Princeton Public Schools said they thought the name embodied Princeton. They particularly liked how it emphasized the word “public.”
   ”It’s a very important name,” said board member Charles Kalmbach. “‘Public’ is an important word in this community.”
   Board vice president Tim Quinn noted the name change would not affect the district’s relationship with high school students who attend from Cranbury.
   ”It is a sending district that pays tuition per student to send to the high school,” he said. “There is no authority or desire to levy taxes on Cranbury.”
   The district is required by law to change its name because once Princeton Township and Princeton Borough consolidate, the schools will no longer be “regional.” The board also wants to have a new name in place for the start of the new fiscal year that begins July 1.