Dear Bernards Township Residents and Friends,

 

Now that the NJ state budget is passed, the legislature turns to 4 hot topics:  tax reform, school spending, home rule, and a constitutional convention.  The fireworks start about 2 weeks from now, with a speech on July 28 by Gov. Corzine, followed by a legislative Special Session during August.

 

Bernards Township residents clearly have a stake in the outcome.

·    The State funds only about 5% of the Bernards Township School District's budget, compared to 90%+ for some other NJ districts.

·    Although our school district has below-average spending, state law has penalized it, in terms of flexibility, because of abuses in other NJ districts.

·    Although Bernards Township's school budgets have had zero increase per student, an increase in the percentage of schoolchildren in our town's population and a decrease in the percentage of tax on commercial properties have caused our residential property taxes to increase.

·    Although our town's homeowners have gotten house-wealthy, some have trouble converting that to cash to pay taxes.

·    Trenton sends only a small percentage of Bernards residents' income tax back to our town as municipal aid.

 

Beyond the August legislative session, two other major school reforms are on the Trenton agenda: a proposal called "CORE" which would eliminate most school budget elections and create a new school funding formula, and an amendment of the "S-1701" school budget cap law to allow responsible districts more flexibility.

 

The next few weeks may be the best time in the decade for us to act on these state-level issues.  Our Township Committee and Board of Ed will surely pass a resolution or two, and might even send a couple of members to meet with our legislators.  But can we, as residents, add more?  What should we do?  How can we most effectively influence the thinking of Gov. Corzine, Senate President Codey, and House Speaker Roberts, the triumvirate who have the most control?

 

If you're interested in helping or finding out more, please contact Susan Carlsson (908-766-7414, luffbarry@hotmail.com).  We'll invite you to meeting this week and an ongoing email discussion.

 

A group of volunteers has stepped forward to reactivate the Bernards Township Education Foundation.  The current BTEF trustees want to pass the leadership to new volunteers, and the new group will work with them to plan a transition.  The new group is open to more volunteers if you'd like to join.

 

The volunteer group wants to focus on enhancing education and curriculum.  The group is mindful of concerns about what items would be part of the regular school budget, and about avoiding competition with the excellent fundraising in the community by our six PTOs and various booster groups.  The group plans to solicit grants and donations from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.  The group also hopes to work closely with other local organizations in New Jersey.

 

Over the summer, the group will discuss ideas,  work with the existing BTEF leaders to make a transition, and plan to recruit volunteers in September.  During the summer and fall, the group will also work with school administrators to develop a wish list, and with the BOE, PTOs, booster groups, Township Committee, and other community groups to discuss concerns and seek harmony.  After that, the tasks of writing grant proposals and meeting with corporate donors will begin.

 

Do you know anyone who might like to participate in the BTEF?  Several kinds of volunteers are needed, including officers, trustees, committee members, and other helpers.  To find out more, please contact Linda Wooldridge (908-647-3296, jwooldri@compuserve.com) or Debbie Schmalz (908-647-6110, schmalzclan@verizon.net).

 

"Autism Every Day" is a new video that shows the impact that autism has on real lives: http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php .  Recommended by Steve & Mary McKenna: "He disappeared into an evil, indiscernable mist which we came to know as Autism."

 

Our local Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills will hold its annual Father-Daughter Weekend in early September.  My daughters and I have gone on the weekend rafting trip for several years, with hundreds of other residents of our NJ region.  It's been a wonderful, enjoyable event, and I recommend it highly.  Register by August 10.

 

I've posted interesting and provocative emails from several residents on http://wellrounded.com/bernards/ .  Thanks to the authors for their correspondence.  Topics include the Millington Quarry site, the school budget, high school scheduling, NJ public spending, and autism.  If you'd like to add your own comments, please let me know.  To promote discussion, I post comments even if I disagree with them.

 

Thanks and best wishes,

--Jonathan

 

This message is part of my occasional series on the schools and other issues in Bernards Township.  If you want to join my list, or if you don't want to be on it, please let me know.  These are my personal opinions.  I encourage your feedback and questions.  –Jonathan Marshall, 41 Lyons Rd., (908) 766‑1116.