If the sampling of online comments is any indication (and that’s a big if), then the upcoming vote on the WW-P school budget will be one of the more hotly debated elections. The school budget story in the February 18 edition of The News generated more than a dozen comments online at www.wwpinfo.com and all of them voiced displeasure at the prospect of any increase in school expenditures.
“We will not let the superintendent, assistant, and school board members yank us taxpayers around any longer! Bottom line: Schools need to control their spending.
“We all know New Jersey spends the most in the country. Comparisons against Princeton, Montgomery or even the state-wide averages or West Windsor’s prior years spending is what you do when you want to make it appear as if meaningful change is really occurring but they are nothing more than very low hurdles.”
This online visitor indicated he would only be pleased with a budget that produced a 20 percent tax decrease. “We should insist on working the budget number backwards; throw out the state or township comparisons that are completely useless. Instead, focus on what number will lower our taxes by 20 percent. The way taxes have been going up in the past, this is reasonable. The schools can do what they want with that hard number whether it is on larger class sizes or [reducing] foreign languages, as long as they stay within the agreed upon number, no exceptions or adjusting the budget along the way.
“The homeowners can then see a nice decrease in their tax bill to take off some of the stress and the schools can choose what is important to them. It’s really that simple. Let’s lead New Jersey out of higher taxes and show that change can happen while we maintain our high academic standards.”
The article on West Windsor Council’s budget talks drew fewer comments, but they were equally against any proposed increases. “Once again the Mayor and the WW-P News misleads the voters by starting the article with a politician’s fib that the budget ‘calls for the lowest increase in 17 years — only $358,000, or less than 1 percent.’ Mr. Mayor, why do you rely on ‘attrition’ instead of biting the bullet and cutting headcount like industry does when revenue can’t cover costs? Mr. Hsueh, the bottomless pit of taxation has reached bottom. We, the citizens of West Windsor, have run out of patience with you as fast as we are running out of money. The School Board will be next to hit our emptying pockets and the hit will be harder than yours. Will they too have a nice way to word their increase as an ‘only’ lie?”
In the February 18 WW-P News we reported on the state school “report card” and compared the cost per pupil in WW-P with the Princeton, Montgomery, and Robbinsville districts and also with the state average. An online visitor posted a similar comparison but used numbers for South Brunswick instead of Robbinsville.
For some reason the online world viewed that comparison as more enlightening than the comparisons made in the WW-P News. “I regularly see the WW-P News writing these stories as if the reporter is simply a stenographer. Where’s the context? Why is it left to commenters here to provide comparisons or balance?”
Another comment suggested an answer: “Journalists live in fear of losing advertisers and access — particularly in small towns like West Windsor and Plainsboro. Don’t expect investigative journalism. Citizens are on their own.”
To which WW-P News editor Richard K. Rein replies: “Given the facts, pseudo-facts, informed opinions, and uninformed opinions flying around these days, especially online, we are happy to be criticized for devoting most of our news coverage to the faithful and unbiased recounting of what was said and done at public meetings.
“As for pressure from advertising or from public officials, we have received none whatsoever from advertisers and only occasional pleas from elected officials seeking to influence our reporting. We have responded to them the same way we respond to the online critics: We consider the arguments and then do what we feel is best for the readers.”
