Readers weigh in on Sept. 17 school district referendum
For more than a decade, HVRSD has regularly transferred millions of its annual surplus to collect in its Capital Reserve. Capital Reserve, as the name implies, is reserved for capital projects. Legally it may not be used for general operations such as paying staff.
Capital projects are literally the exact type of projects presented in the current referendum.
Consider that during Covid, HVRSD ran multimillion-dollar surpluses on transportation and facilities costs, since the district needed to budget for a regular school year, but realistically used far less fuel, utilities, and maintenance on district owned buses and facilities.
As a result, HVRSD transferred much of that surplus to capital reserve and on June 30, 2021, they hit a record Capital Reserve audited balance that exceeded $10 million, in addition to the $6 million in their audited general operating surplus.
All New Jersey public school districts submit a User-Friendly Budget to the state with audited balances taken on June 30 year end. According to the most recent UFBs filed, HVRSD holds more audited surplus and reserves both absolutely ($15M+) and as a percentage of total budget (17%) than all like sized districts in Mercer County, which average $8.8M and 10% respectively.
Like sized districts are those with one high school. Although it is worth noting that HVRSD’s audited surplus plus reserves sum to 17% of its total budget and that eclipses even the large Mercer County districts percentages whose operating surplus plus capital reserves average 9.3% of their total budget.
A rainy-day fund is fine, but when per-pupil cost and reserve holdings exceed all others in Mercer County, it’s time to repay some of the excess to taxpayers. I will follow the bipartisan suggestion of former mayors John Hart and Vanessa Sandom, and Vote no on the HVRSD referendum until the district applies existing taxpayer funding on capital projects to reduce their capital request for additional taxpayer referendum funding.
Peter Sandford, Pennington
Spot quiz: Q. How does a school district need an $87.5 million building referendum? A. Good old fashioned deferred maintenance by kicking the can down the road. Q. How does that school district expect to shove a mammoth school tax bill down the throats of the taxpayers? A. Good old-fashioned voter suppression.
The facts are clear. The Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education scheduled a special referendum vote for its $87.5 million school building referendum on Sept. 17. All voting costs money to conduct. 2024 is a presidential election year. Traditionally, the highest voter turnout occurs during presidential elections. By piggy-backing their referendum with the presidential election, the Board of Education could save taxpayer dollars and increase voter turnout.
Unless, of course, the Board does not want a large voter turnout for their referendum. Then you go it alone a short seven weeks before the presidential election and waste taxpayer dollars, just like here.
Expect the board to deny, deny, deny and come up with one or more flimsy explanations for their failure to take advantage of the obvious.
Voters have to want to vote. I have no doubt that supporters of the referendum would move heaven and earth to vote. Inconvenienced voters usually do not show up to vote. In my view, the Board of Education is counting on that. Hopefully, angry inconvenienced voters will show up to vote “No” on the referendum and send a message to the board.
Harvey Lester, Titusville
Harvey Lester is a former mayor of Hopewell Township.
Support for Uma Purandare
Like many Valley residents, I enjoy living in Hopewell Township for various reasons: great schools; abundant open space with beautiful walking and biking trails; rich history; in a diverse community. But what makes me most pleased to call it home is our strong, engaged community.
That’s why I am proud to support Uma Purandare for re-election to Hopewell Township Committee this November. In the two years she has served on the Committee – most recently as Deputy Mayor – Uma has focused on ways to improve our everyday life by strengthening the services and ties that unite our community.
Her work on the Green Team, the Board of Health, the Planning Board and the LHT helps safeguard our community resources, our environment and our collective health. Uma has also spearheaded myriad community outreach initiatives, such as Hopewell Valley Food Pantry Drive and the Women’s History Month Financial Planning Workshop. And as the driving force behind the Township’s first Multicultural Festival this past April, Uma brought the whole community together to celebrate the growing diversity that makes our town a wonderful place to live. She is dedicated to fostering unity because she knows first-hand that when everyone feels welcome, it has a positive ripple effect across Hopewell Township.
Uma understands that embracing our diversity makes our community stronger and more inclusive. This knowledge makes her an impactful leader and a compassionate and powerful advocate for us all.
Linda Rogers, Hopewell Township
I strongly support Uma Purandare for reelection to the Hopewell Township Committee. Her dedication to community health and environmental sustainability is evident through her efforts as liaison to the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, particularly the segments in Hopewell Township. Uma plays an important role advancing this important project, which provides a safe community asset for walking, biking, running, and enjoying the outdoors.
The trail not only encourages healthy lifestyles but also connects people and communities, fostering a sense of togetherness. Her leadership has ensured that the LHT remains a priority, contributing to the quality of life in our area.
Ron Lagman, Hopewell Township
