To the Editor:

Princeton’s public schools are a cornerstone of our community. On January 28, voters have the chance to ensure that our schools remain strong and healthy. Passing this measure is more than just addressing current needs — it’s a strategic investment in the future of Princeton for all residents.

As parents of students at Littlebrook Elementary School and Princeton Middle School, we moved to Princeton in 2017 because of its reputation for exceptional public education. From our crossing guard, Virginie, who greets our children by name each morning with a smile, to the teachers who support struggling students and inspire curious minds, every interaction reflects the care and excellence that define our schools. more

To the Editor:

As residents of the Princeton Housing Authority (PHA), we are frustrated with lack of action on our behalf. The PHA and town discovered the need to update their Cooperation Agreement 19 months ago and though Council put this on its 2024 Goals list, Council took no steps toward this in 2024. The PHA needs to resolve a number of issues with the town in order to make decisions that affect us.

We understand that, after a 2023 situation in which PHA management did not receive notification before the town reintroduced parking permit enforcement following the pandemic pause, the PHA reached out to their Council liaison, Councilman Newlin, and asked for a meeting to discuss the parking ordinance with the town. At that June 1, 2023 meeting we’re told the discussion of the issues and difficulty with the ordinance made it clear a “quicker” solution was needed and Councilwoman Pirone Lambros suggested it would be more expedient to address the situation through the PHA’s Cooperation Agreement with the town. more

To the Editor:

As a proud member of the Princeton community who has spent the last 25 years working in the field of education, I am writing in strong support of the upcoming school referendum. This is a pivotal opportunity to invest in our schools and ensure that every Princeton Public Schools student has access to the facilities and resources they need to thrive.

Our schools have long been a cornerstone of Princeton’s excellence, but growing enrollment and aging infrastructure require thoughtful action. This referendum addresses those needs with plans for expanded classrooms, upgraded science labs, enhanced arts spaces, and modernized facilities across our elementary, middle, and high schools. These improvements will ensure students have spaces that support innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

Investing in our schools is an investment in our town’s future. I encourage my fellow residents to join me in supporting this referendum and ensuring that Princeton remains a leader in public education.

Daniel Scibienski
Linden Lane

To the Editor:

The cycle seems to be: Great schools make Princeton attractive. Princeton being attractive makes it unaffordable. Princeton being unaffordable mandates more housing. More housing produces more students. More students require more funding. More funding makes great schools.

However, the cycle can easily be broken: More housing means more traffic. More traffic means gridlocked streets. Gridlocked streets make Princeton unattractive. Perhaps Princeton’s schools can be funded using congestion pricing.

Michael Diesso
Harrison Street

To the Editor:

It seems that none of the letters urging us so enthusiastically to vote in favor of all three questions of the referendum makes any equally enthusiastic mention of the extra (projected) $532 annual per-household increase in everybody’s municipal taxes, should all three questions be approved.

Maybe this increase should not be borne by people who have been living in Princeton for 24 years or more? The ones who have put two generations of children — both their own and those of their fellow Princetonians — through the 12 years of public schooling? Those who, through the years, have already carried the price for the repeated (and unfailingly deemed urgent) costly improvements and repairs to school facilities and programs? Those very improvements and repairs that every time turn out to have been insufficient? more

To the Editor:

We are writing in support of the PPS referendum and to encourage our neighbors to vote on January 28 (or earlier by mail).

As parents of children who have gone through the Princeton Public Schools starting in kindergarten at Community Park Elementary School, onto Princeton Middle School, and through to graduation from Princeton High School, we are quite aware of the condition of the buildings and of the increasing student population at all schools. These factors put pressure on our facilities, our teachers, and our students.

Upgrading the HVAC system at PHS will mean installing more efficient equipment to heat and cool the building while providing a more stable and consistent environment for learning. Expanding the elementary schools and Princeton Middle School will provide more spaces for learning core curriculum, special needs, and the arts with the small class sizes that make PPS such a desirable and successful educational environment. more

To the Editor:

Over the past several weeks, scores of our fellow Princeton community members have written letters in support of the upcoming school referendum. We, too, are writing to express our support for the district’s plans. We take pride in our excellent public schools, and are grateful for the education that our children received, thanks to the investments of prior generations of taxpayers.

To remain excellent, our schools need ongoing attention, investment, and renewal. Right now, the high school needs a new HVAC system and several schools (Community Park, Princeton Middle School, and Littlebrook) need more space. We applaud the district for putting together a plan that addresses these needs while leveraging $19.9M in state support.

We plan to vote “yes” to all three questions, and urge our fellow residents to vote “yes” as well.

Heather Howard
Aiken Avenue
Liz Lempert
Meadowbrook Drive

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of the PPS referendum. The Board of Education has outlined specific plans for needed renovations to our public schools’ buildings. The only mechanism available to the Princeton Public Schools to perform needed facilities improvements is the one they are employing — a referendum that funds the improvements via a bond that stretches the costs across many future years, so that the cost in any one year is not too great.

Our public schools are doing an amazing job of educating a large — and growing! — number of kids.  It’s important that we keep the facilities in decent shape so that the schools can continue to do well in their educational mission. more