Supporting “Yes” Votes on Schools Referendum, with Some Qualifications
To the Editor:
I support three “yes” votes on the January 28 schools referendum. With some qualifications.
Excellent and inclusive schools are among the most important things that make Princeton great. Having participated in the long-term planning discussions over the past few years, it is clear that our elementary and middle schools are already over-full. Investing now is essential for great schools. It would have been better to have expanded the schools years ago. Although we have had school bonds in recent years, it has been decades since new classrooms were added at the elementary and middle-school levels. We can’t wait any longer.
I understand why some residents are reluctant to give this School Board more money. There have been many missteps in recent years, and we already spend a lot on schools. According to state figures, the Princeton School District spends 20 percent more per student per year than the school districts in Montgomery and West Windsor-Plainsboro. I do not understand why. But voting “no” on new classrooms is not the right response. We need to increase oversight, ensure the right people are on our School Board, and consider further studies on why the operating budget is so high.
Voting “yes” now unlocks millions of dollars of extra money from the state that will otherwise be left on the table. The idea of building a new school somewhere else at some indeterminate time in the future will come too late and cost even more.
There are three questions on the schools referendum. I would encourage neighbors to vote “yes” on as many as they feel that they can. All the improvements are necessary, have been carefully considered, and will help keep Princeton a great and desirable place to live.