To the editor:
I urge Princeton residents to vote yes on both questions number 1 and 2 for the public schools’ bond referendum. This referendum includes extremely important facilities improvements for all our schools. I understand how hard this additional tax increase can be, but the reality is that improvements to our schools cannot be put off and I believe would only become more expensive the longer we delay.
As a parent of both middle and elementary school children I have experienced the issues of overcrowding and facilities impact on education; having visited the high school, I have seen that these issues only get worse there. All of the schools are overcrowded. All of the schools need serious fixes to the underlying HVAC systems. Children don’t get to go to all their classes in the winter due to the freezing temperatures in some rooms. And they get sick from other rooms being so warm teachers leave the windows open. Addressing space and facilities infrastructure are not small ticket items. Furthermore, the school board is taking a forward thinking step in acquiring a property that is close to town and offers possible additional needed playing fields and future additional growth.
Any proposal this complex is challenging. I believe the board of education is addressing the totality of the situation in a comprehensive and unified way that will invest what we must in the infrastructure we need to continue to have the great schools we expect.
With regards to the tax increase specifically, the estimates presented show voting for both questions 1 and 2 would mean a $34.56 increase for every $100,000 in assessed value in 2020; up to $89.53 in 2022; then back down to $28.64 in 2023. Given how much we need to do for the infrastructure of our schools it is important to act now before the situation gets worse and the cost to resolve gets even higher. I hope you will join me in investing in our future and the heart of our community now.
Dana Molina
Princeton