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NJ School construction referenda set for vote in 25 school districts this Tuesday (9-29-09)...Morris County district considering school uniforms...Gannett delves into property taxes & New Jersey, begins eight days of exploratory articles on the hot button topic...President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan talking about exanding school time via more minutes in the school day to longer school year...
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School issues on ballot Monday, September 28, 2009 BY JENNIFER H. CUNNINGHAM Herald News STAFF WRITER WOODLAND PARK — Residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on an $8.95 million facilities referendum for the district's three schools. District officials said the planned upgrades — which include the construction of seven classrooms, adding and renovating bathrooms to comply with federal regulations and general building maintenance — would make the buildings safer and more efficient, and able to accommodate rising enrollment growth. "We are addressing some long-standing maintenance, repair and updating issues," Schools Superintendent Scott Rixford said Friday. Rixford said the district's three buildings are in dire need of repairs. The newest roofs in the district are 25 years old; the one over the Memorial School gym leaks during heavy rains. The electrical systems in all three schools are outdated. Some of the bathrooms contain cracked porcelain fixtures. The windows at Memorial School, built in 1958, are not energy efficient. "They're the original windows," said Charles Silverstein, principal of Memorial School. The referendum would pay for: Charles Olbon School * Three kindergarten classroom additions, bathrooms and computer hookups * Roof replacement, skylight installation, upgrades to the electrical, intercom and ventilation systems, renovation of the parking lot, sidewalks, retaining wall and roadway. Beatrice Gilmore School * Four new classrooms, new bathrooms on second floor and renovations to bathrooms on first floor, hookups for computers, replacement of the roof, floor tiles, the playground surface, elevator and stairs. * The expansion and renovation of the parking lot, along with a Dumpster enclosure and sidewalks. Memorial School * Replacement of roof, windows, ventilation system, playground blacktop and the renovation of both boys and girls bathrooms. * Expansion and renovation of parking lot, upgrading technological infrastructure, and adding additional hookups for computers. Conversion of some current school space into an all-purpose room that would also house the school cafeteria and full-service kitchen. If voters OK the $8.95 million referendum, residents with homes assessed at the borough average of $200,000 would pay an additional $86.80 in school taxes. The state Department of Education would pay $2.8 million — about one third — of the total cost of the renovations and additions. The district would pay the remaining $6.1 million. "We're looking at this as an opportunity," Rixford said. "We understand the challenge that the referendum asks people to consider, but on the other hand, we don't know if that opportunity [the $2.8 million state contribution] will be here again." Rixford gave a presentation on the referendum at the Board of Education meeting last week. He said there is not enough space in the district to house its burgeoning student population. Enrollment is projected to increase to 1,085 students next year, from 883 students in 2001. If the referendum is rejected, the district may have to teach students inside trailers, Rixford said. Residents polled on the issue outside the borough library Friday largely supported the facilities referendum. "It'll make for better education for the children," said Rita Dagostino, 56, about why she planned to vote for the referendum. "It'll be a safer place for them." Delimar Freire, 33, who has two children aged 4 and 2, said she didn't know how she would vote, but was sure that if the referendum was passed, it would positively impact the borough's property values. "If we end up selling the house, [the buyers] know that the school will be better because the town invested money in it." E-mail: cunningham@northjersey.com |
Re-energizing school construction
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Ryan Hutchins
FOR THE STAR-LEDGER
School districts across New Jersey will ask residents Tuesday to spend $440 million on construction projects, many them energy-saving initiatives.
Voters will decide whether to approve work in 25 school districts, including two in Middlesex County and one in Union County, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. It's the largest dollar amount for school construction projects to go before voters in four years.
"This is the most school construction activity we've seen for one day since September 2005," said Mike Yaple, an association spokesman who has been tracking such referendums for a decade. "We're edging up toward almost half-a-billion dollars in school construction proposals. That's quite a bit."
It's the most since the state's multibillion-dollar construction program was distributed to districts in a school building boom several years ago.
On Tuesday, in one of five referendum days being held this year, voters will answer ballot questions that largely involve projects seeking to reduce energy usage. Of the $440 million districts are requesting, more than $157 million would qualify for state aid, either through one-time grants, annual "debt service aid" payments or rebates through the state's Clean Energy Program, according to the School Boards Association.
It is those rebates, combined with efforts by the Board of Public Utilities to encourage schools, governments and businesses to take on green projects, that likely spurred the increase in requests, the association said.
BPU officials said they don't know how many of Tuesday's requests involve Clean Energy Program rebates or their solar-panel programs, but noted school districts have participated in the agency's efforts.
"We definitely worked with schools," said Timothy O'Donovan, BPU's director of communications. "There are lots of schools out there participating in our programs."
Projects that look to save energy are included in 18 of the 25 ballot questions being posed Tuesday, with 10 referendums specifically citing new windows, doors, boilers or HVAC
systems, and another eight including solar panels projects, according to the School Boards Association.
In Rahway, for example, voters are being asked to approve $22.8 million in renovations to six schools that include the addition of solar panels. The district will also get about $12.6 million in aid.
If the bond is approved, about 20,000 square feet of solar panels will be installed at both the middle school and high school, paying for themselves within 10 years, school officials have said.
In East Brunswick, where the district is seeking to replace the fire-scarred Memorial School, a nearly $18 million bond would be used to create a state-of-the-art building that features a geothermal well and energy-saving materials. The district would also use a $4.2 million state grant and $1.6 million in capital reserves for the project.
And in South Plainfield, voters are considering a $21.9 million bond, with $8.8 million eligible for state reimbursements or grants, that will be used to upgrade five schools. The work will include improvements to roofs, windows, boilers and heating and cooling systems.
Information on the three local projects are available on district websites.
The other communities with votes Tuesday are: Hamilton Township, Northfield, Franklin Lakes, Leonia, Park Ridge, Hainesport Township, Shamong Township, Mount Holly Township, Riverside Township, Pennsauken, Stratford, Ocean City, Lawrence Township, Clayton, Pitman, Atlantic Highlands, Marlboro Township, Brick Township, Manchester Township, Woodland Park, Pittsgrove Township, Washington Borough.
Ryan Hutchins is a reporter for the New Jersey Local News Service. He may be reached at rhutchins@njlns.com or (908) 243-6236.
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District considers student uniforms Sunday, September 27, 2009 Eugene Paik FOR THE STAR-LEDGER Parsippany school officials are in preliminary talks to require uniforms for elementary and middle school students in the district. Superintendent LeRoy Seitz said that three of the district's principals have "volunteered to begin exploratory discussions" regarding the idea. The group began researching it this summer, he said. But Seitz said yesterday it's too early to know if those talks will lead to a proposal, adding that he and the school board would need to endorse it. If the idea gains momentum and is approved, he said, it wouldn't be likely that a policy would take effect before 2011. "We just think it's prudent for us as a school district to see if it's feasible to do this and see what parents and students think of it," Seitz said. "If there's interest, we'll do it. If not, we'll stop." One Parsippany parent told the school board Thursday that uniforms would be beneficial for students. Atul Faldu, whose daughter is in kindergarten, said uniforms would help children who are teased about their wardrobe. "They will focus more on learning than on fashion," he said. Seitz said uniforms could promote school spirit and reduce peer pressure, and many school districts in the state have considered them. Some are expanding their dress codes because of satisfying results. Middle and high schools in Belleville are requiring school uniforms this fall, and a policy in Newark was broadened to include high school students. Plainfield and Linden also have dress codes. Seitz said some parents and students have resisted uniforms because they felt they hampered the self-expression of students. Parsippany Parent-Teacher Association president Sandy Giercyk said she wants to see what the district proposes before commenting on the idea. "It's something parents bat around," she said. "Depending on how the district implements it, it could be a wonderful thing." Eugene Paik is a reporter with the New Jersey Local News Service. He may be reached at (908) 243-6240 or epaik@njlns.com. | |
September 27, 2009
N.J. and taxes: We're No. 50!
First the good news about taxes: New Jersey didn't lose ground this year in the Tax Foundation's annual comparative state rankings for the worst tax climate for businesses. Now the bad news: It ranked dead last — 50th out of 50 — for the fourth consecutive year. And in a similar ranking by Forbes magazine released last week, it slipped from 34th in 2006 to 45th today.
According to the Tax Foundation's 2010 rankings, also released last week and based on a July 2009 snapshot of five major tax categories, New Jersey is in a league by itself, with taxpayers serving as the doormats.
Of the five major components of the index, New Jersey ranked 50th in property taxes, 47th in income taxes, 41st in corporate income taxes, 38th in sales taxes and 25th in unemployment insurance taxes.
In the Forbes' Best States for Business rankings, New Jersey ranked 49th in business costs, 47th in regulatory environment and 44th in economic climate.
Overall, New Jersey finished behind all of its neighbors — Connecticut (35th), Pennsylvania (33rd), New York (32nd) and Delaware (21st).
The rankings should come as no surprise to New Jersey businesses, who have been begging for relief for years, or for taxpayers struggling to pay their bills.
Starting today, Gannett New Jersey newspapers will run an eight-day series, "Tax Crush," that will take an in-depth look at why taxes here are so high and inequitable, what the impact of those taxes has been on businesses and taxpayers, and what other states have done to try to rein them in and curb government spending.
Following the news series, we will present a three-part editorial series recommending steps that need to be taken to bring taxes under control. We will encourage you to demand that the gubernatorial and Assembly candidates in November's election spell out in detail their proposals to fix the problem.
While New Jersey must take a look at what can be done to address the tax inequities inherent in a tax system so heavily dependent on property taxes, state lawmakers need to acknowledge that all of the state's major taxes are too high. Reducing one while increasing another isn't the answer. Spending at all levels of government must be reduced.
Our top individual income tax rate — 10.67 percent — is the third highest in the nation, behind only Oregon and Hawaii.
We have the highest per-capita property taxes — $2,635 — 9.4 percent higher than runner-up Connecticut and five times higher than Alabama. We have the second-highest effective property tax rate — total property tax collections divided by personal income — trailing only New Hampshire, which has no income tax.
Only one state — California — has a higher state sales tax than our 7 percent.
Our unemployment tax, paid by the employer to finance benefits for recently unemployed workers, is in the middle of the pack. We have one of the lowest maximum tax rates, but make up for it by applying it to the first $28,900 in annual income — the fifth highest ceiling in the nation.
While other states have higher top corporate tax rates, we rank in the bottom 10 nationally for several reasons, not the least of which is that our top rate kicks in at only $100,000.
We thought the tax climate couldn't get much worse than it was under former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who resigned in 2004. Gov. Jon Corzine and the Democratic Legislature have proved us wrong. We had the worst tax climate in the U.S. when Corzine was sworn in nearly four years ago, and we still have the worst tax climate. All that has changed is that we are paying far more in taxes and have less disposable income with which to pay them.
Read our "Tax Crush" series carefully and weep. Then get off the couch and start demanding answers from those who seek to represent you in the Governor's Office and the Legislature about what they intend to do to ease our tax burden.
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More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation Sunday, September 27, 2009 NorthJersey.com THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way. Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe. "Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom." The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go. "Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Fifth-grader Nakany Camara is of two minds. She likes the four-week summer program at her school, Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville, Md. Nakany enjoys seeing her friends there and thinks summer school helped boost her grades from two Cs to the honor roll. But she doesn't want a longer school day. "I would walk straight out the door," she said. Domonique Toombs felt the same way when she learned she would stay for an extra three hours each day in sixth grade at Boston's Clarence R. Edwards Middle School. "I was like, 'Wow, are you serious?'" she said. "That's three more hours I won't be able to chill with my friends after school." Her school is part of a 3-year-old state initiative to add 300 hours of school time in nearly two dozen schools. Early results are positive. Even reluctant Domonique, who just started ninth grade, feels differently now. "I've learned a lot," she said. Does Obama want every kid to do these things? School until dinnertime? Summer school? And what about the idea that kids today are overscheduled and need more time to play? ___ Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school. "Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here," Duncan told the AP. "I want to just level the playing field." While it is true that kids in many other countries have more school days, it's not true they all spend more time in school. Kids in the U.S. spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the U.S. on math and science tests — Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the U.S. (180 days). ___ Regardless, there is a strong case for adding time to the school day. Researcher Tom Loveless of the Brookings Institution looked at math scores in countries that added math instruction time. Scores rose significantly, especially in countries that added minutes to the day, rather than days to the year. "Ten minutes sounds trivial to a school day, but don't forget, these math periods in the U.S. average 45 minutes," Loveless said. "Percentage-wise, that's a pretty healthy increase." In the U.S., there are many examples of gains when time is added to the school day. Charter schools are known for having longer school days or weeks or years. For example, kids in the KIPP network of 82 charter schools across the country go to school from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than three hours longer than the typical day. They go to school every other Saturday and for three weeks in the summer. KIPP eighth-grade classes exceed their school district averages on state tests. In Massachusetts' expanded learning time initiative, early results indicate that kids in some schools do better on state tests than do kids at regular public schools. The extra time, which schools can add as hours or days, is for three things: core academics — kids struggling in English, for example, get an extra English class; more time for teachers; and enrichment time for kids. Regular public schools are adding time, too, though it is optional and not usually part of the regular school day. Their calendar is pretty much set in stone. Most states set the minimum number of school days at 180 days, though a few require 175 to 179 days. Several schools are going year-round by shortening summer vacation and lengthening other breaks. Many schools are going beyond the traditional summer school model, in which schools give remedial help to kids who flunked or fell behind. Summer is a crucial time for kids, especially poorer kids, because poverty is linked to problems that interfere with learning, such as hunger and less involvement by their parents. That makes poor children almost totally dependent on their learning experience at school, said Karl Alexander, a sociology professor at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, home of the National Center for Summer Learning. Disadvantaged kids, on the whole, make no progress in the summer, Alexander said. Some studies suggest they actually fall back. Wealthier kids have parents who read to them, have strong language skills and go to great lengths to give them learning opportunities such as computers, summer camp, vacations, music lessons, or playing on sports teams. "If your parents are high school dropouts with low literacy levels and reading for pleasure is not hard-wired, it's hard to be a good role model for your children, even if you really want to be," Alexander said. Extra time is not cheap. The Massachusetts program costs an extra $1,300 per student, or 12 percent to 15 percent more than regular per-student spending, said Jennifer Davis, a founder of the program. It received more than $17.5 million from the state Legislature last year. The Montgomery County, Md., summer program, which includes Brookhaven, received $1.6 million in federal stimulus dollars to operate this year and next, but it runs for only 20 days. Aside from improving academic performance, Education Secretary Duncan has a vision of schools as the heart of the community. Duncan, who was Chicago's schools chief, grew up studying alongside poor kids on the city's South Side as part of the tutoring program his mother still runs. "Those hours from 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock are times of high anxiety for parents," Duncan said. "They want their children safe. Families are working one and two and three jobs now to make ends meet and to keep food on the table." |
