New schools are necessary in No. Brunswick

North Brunswick residents: Do you know how many students are in my class? Do you know where the conference room is in my school? My class is almost at capacity. The conference room here is now a classroom since we ran out of space to fit all of our students. Three special education teachers are sharing a room the size of a walk-in closet to offer individualized instruction to their small groups of four to six students.

This letter is in response to Richard A. Pender’s letter, published Nov. 19 (“Resident says ‘no’ to two new schools.”)

I understand this type of vote [a referendum for two new schools on Dec. 8] is scary. As a former resident of North Brunswick, I have two immediate family members still living in town. They were scared too. After I explained the dire situation in my school, they are now more worried about what happens if the Dec. 8 vote does not pass. So am I.

After hearing the superintendent’s presentation on the proposed new schools, I can tell you that we do not receive the full 62 percent of property tax collected. Neighboring townships in more need (deemed by the state) receive a portion of that money. If we pass the vote, we do get all 62 percent, which we need.

After hearing Dr. Zychowski’s presentation, I feel hopeful that the current pressure of population at my school will be alleviated in the next three years. Teachers are nervous about what it means to switch to an intermediate school, but that worry fades when we see the amount of students in our hallways. What will happen when the units at Main Street go up? Where will those students go to school?

I’m no tax specialist, politician or even a good writer. I am a teacher with a full classroom of students whom I love. It took me 15 minutes to get all of my students to an assembly recently.

Vote yes on Dec. 8.

Jennifer Guzio
Formerly of North Brunswick