To the 200-plus people who attended the March 31 “reading” of the 2010-’11 WW-P School District budget, thank you for taking the time to show up! Whether you were present as an employee or interested taxpayer, let me share with you some observations:
(1). When anyone is addressing a large crowd, you stand to make a presentation. Most of the gallery couldn’t even see the PowerPoint projector presentation positioned perpendicular to attendees and the backs of several Board members.
(2). We have a district website: www.ww-p.org. Why would a district assistant superintendent read to us when the current and proposed information should have been posted on a very expensive website? Why are we hearing about summaries that are irrelevant given the cut in state aid? The budget is not a zero-increase budget. It might have been, but it is not now!
(3). WW-P can operate effectively with two fewer assistant superintendents including the one position for which the current superintendent served in WW-P for many years. Have all employees submit a job description — and how their position adds irreplaceable value to the district. The public information officer’s position should be either eliminated or reduced to half-time. Take the co-curricular activities and classroom instruction… and cut funding by 10 percent. Why should our Board of Education play favorites?
(4). The district mission statement lacks any reference to parents as partners within the educational matrix. The board doesn’t want or seek your participation.
(5). The 2009 web-posted budget information is irrelevant. If you want to see a district that may be on the right track showing more specific budget cut information, visit Lawrence Township.
(6). Stop comparing WW-P’s costs with other districts’ costs. They are all out of line. The municipal governments must not pass on to taxpayers its cuts in state aid.
(7). As board professionals, it is up to you and the administration to find the $7 million in state aid reductions. Take your highest categories of costs (salaries, wages, benefits) and with a 10 percent across the board cut, you will effect savings of double the loss of the State Aid. This will prepare you for the cuts coming next year. After all, it is for… the kids.
Peter R. Weale
144 Fisher Place, West Windsor
