In the upcoming election, it is important to compare words of Congressman Rush Holt with his actions. One important issue where the words and actions of Rush Holt don’t match is the proposed Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS), an issue that impacts every taxpayer in Princeton, West Windsor, Plainsboro, and South Brunswick.
The founders of PIACS have often quoted Rush Holt in justifying their charter school. PIACS will cost the taxpayers in these townships over $2 million at a time when the traditional public schools are forced to lay off teachers and eliminate programs. Holt has introduced a federal legislation known as “HR6036: The Excellence and Innovation in Language Learning Act,” which will make it easier to start schools such as PIACS. Holt’s HR 6036 has only two other sponsors.
This is another example of elected officials becoming out of touch with the average taxpayer and ignoring the impact of the laws they pass. Although Holt claims to be a supporter of public schools, his actions will damage the traditional public schools at a very difficult economic time.
What is even more ironic is that Holt opposes charter schools for the District of Columbia where alternatives to the traditional public schools are truly needed while proposing charter schools where they are a waste of taxpayer dollars. After 12 years in Congress it is time to stop taking Holt at his words and instead hold him accountable for his actions.
Rocky Procaccini
West Windsor
