01/20/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom

Ernest Palestis, Morris Hills Regional School District superintendent, speaks at a budget cap meeting. Warren Westura / Daily Record

By Laura Bruno, Daily Record

MORRISTOWN -- Parents can expect larger class sizes, fewer teachers and the loss of courtesy busing, athletics and fine arts, if a new law tightening school spending isn't repealed, said Morris County educators Wednesday night.

At a public forum held at Morristown High School, the 800-seat auditorium was nearly filled to capacity with citizens who came to hear school officials decry the restrictions placed on school budgets.

Kicking off the night with three musical pieces performed by Morristown High School students, the educators' presentation condemned the state Legislature for passing a law that will jeopardize such programs and curtail local voters' rights

"The taxpayers have an opportunity to vote on the school budgets each year," said Thomas Ficarra, superintendent of the Morris School District. "That is the ultimate cap … How do politicians in a democratic society rationalize taking away a community's right to decide how much they want to spend on their children?"

The law known as S1701 restricts school budgets from growing no more than 2.5 percent or the rate of inflation each year. This year, the cap on school budgets will follow the inflation rate at 3.01 percent.

The law also restricts the amount of surplus a district can maintain, state approval will be needed for certain line-item transfers within a local budget and districts may not use second ballot questions to ask voter support for existing programs.

Meanwhile, the state recently allowed private special education schools to increase their tuition costs by 8 percent and the state health insurance program used by school districts rose by 12 percent, said Superintendent Ernest Palestis of the Morris Hills Regional School District.

Following their presentation, panels with local legislators, who did not support the law, and a superintendent, business administrator, teacher, school board member and two principals fielded questions written on index cards from a largely sympathetic crowd.

The first question: With increased caps on spending, how will this benefit the students? How will overcrowding help students learn?"

The response from Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Mendham Township: "It isn't."

The forum seemed to be effective for the educators, judging from the reaction of a small sampling of parents leaving the forum. All said they supported repealing S1701.

"I support more home rule," said Morris Township parent Eric Meyer. "I pay the money, I would like to have a vote on how that money is utilized."

Adam Kane, a Morristown parent said it was obvious Democrats rushed the legislation through, but had no idea what they were doing. He said it was unrealistic to think the schools could cap their spending at 2 1/2 percent when there are double digit increases in costs they can't control, like utilities.

"I wish I could put a 2 1/2 cap on my household budget, on what AT&T and PSE&G charges me," Kane said. "It's absurd."

Several parents said they were disappointed there were no legislators on the stage who supported the law. Of Morris County's local legislators, Sen. Anthony Bucco, R- Boonton, is the only area representative who voted in support of the law. Bucco has since changed his mind, proposing legislation to repeal the law.

"I would have been nice to hear from those who voted in support of this," said Gabrielle Meyer, Eric Meyer's wife, who is a Morristown teacher. "It would have been good to have a dialogue. I want those legislators to explain what they were thinking, what their motives were and how this will benefit school districts and children."

At least two parents left the forum early, complaining that it was too political and one-sided. One asked that his name not be used.

Cindy Sickora of Morris Township said she had to leave because the legislators were getting on their soapbox.

"I don't feel like listening to campaign speeches. I came to hear how to improve this law," Sickora said.

"This bill was wrong and needs to be repealed, but parts of it are not wrong. There are pieces of it that should be kept. But, it does take away taxpayers' rights to decide what's done with their money."

Laura Bruno can be reached at (732) 922-6000.

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