Did you know that last year Marlboro had the highest voter turnout for a school budget election of all the local districts in Monmouth County? I’m very proud of that fact as a parent who is involved in Project 3000. Project 3000 was established as an informational campaign designed to keep the public informed on the school budget election each year via e-mail. We are PTA/PTO sponsored and our primary goal is to have a voter turnout of 3,000 or more.
Last year we were very excited to not only achieve our goal, but to exceed our goal. To me, those numbers spoke volumes about our community. It said we care about our kids and when we (as a community) are determined to accomplish a goal, we make the time to let our many voices be heard.
Through Project 3000, my co-chair, Sally Murray, and I learn firsthand how decisions are made for our 6,150 students in order to provide a high-quality education for each and every one, how much it costs to educate just one of our kids ($9,930), exactly how the money is spent, what resources are available through the federal and state governments and how we are affected by certain mandates. It is just like at home, it’s all about our income and expenses except in this case, the state has much to do with our funding and much to say on how we spend or can reserve certain money.
If we look around, some of our neighboring towns are now faced with a second question on their ballot. We’ve dealt with that same problem when things were very tight for us but I believe that last year, our Board of Education had some foresight into what was happening and put an extra dose of wisdom and discernment into their decisions concerning our kids. Now we can take a breather from the many issues that we’ve had to face in the past 10 years. As my co-chair put it so eloquently during one of the budget presentations, “This is a dream budget,” and it is certainly true.
This year we have no major issues. We have a flat enrollment rate, a 2.9-cent increase in our property taxes, which is about $88 on a home that is assessed at $300,000. That translates into $ 7.25 per month (I know that I spend more per month in Dunkin’ Donuts.)
There’s no second question, no school building fund, therefore, no major tax impact. Most importantly, we can continue to provide an outstanding education for our kids. In addition, for the first time in a long time, we are able to enhance our schools’ technological capabilities to bring our children well into the 21st century.
On the flip side of the coin, when we aren’t facing major issues like losing courtesy busing, we often become complacent. And this can lead to apathy with a mindset of “Someone else can go out to vote, I’m just too busy” or “My vote won’t really matter.” Please don’t let this be the case with you, because every vote does count.
My husband and I moved to Marlboro to provide our kids with an excellent education.
When you think back to the main reason that you moved here, it most likely was for the same reason, for the excellent reputation of our schools. Our children are our future and a good education is the foundation for every success in life. It is up to us as parents to support our school system.
Seniors, I understand it is difficult on a fixed income, but please consider the towns in which your grandchildren live and hope that their senior citizens do what’s best for your grandkids. Those at home, take your friends for coffee, and then out to vote; those at work, please go after work or fill out an absentee ballot. Or to model your voting rights as citizens, take the kids.
Whatever you do, please mark your calendar with an appointment to let your voice be heard. Every vote certainly counts. As a resident, and co-chair of Project 3000, I cannot tell you how to vote, but I am asking you to make a difference and come out to vote on April 17 – polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. Remember, it’s about our kids. See you there.
Mamie Weiss
Marlboro