There will be special referendums in both Brick and Manchester today on school construction and improvement projects that are badly needed and deserve the support of voters. That’s a bold statement in today’s economy but in case of both, school officials have been more than willing to show the public why the proposals should be approved.
Voters in Brick are being asked to support a $172 million referendum which will find state grants paying for $57 million of the work but only if approved this year. All 13 schools in the district will receive improvements and voters are being asked to decide the fate of four questions dealing with safety and security, energy and efficiency, expansion of the Primary Learning and Education Enrichment Centers, and desperately needed renovations at Brick Township High School. In some cases students and staff are working in conditions that have deteriorated over decades and are simply not safe and healthy. School officials have offered tours so the public can see the referendum is not for luxuries but absolute necessities to maintain a learning environment that is appropriate for everyone. It’s fair to say at some point in the near future this work will get done but not with the grants from the state. Polls in Brick will be open from 11am to 9pm.
Manchester Township officials are asking for support of a revised facilities project from one that was voted down earlier. The total cost is $8.3 million but state funding and energy grants will pick up 29% of the cost so the local tab is less than $6 million. The project includes roof repairs, carpeting replacement, school buses, repairs and improvements to the high school auditorium and athletic areas, security upgrades and installation of solar panels. Voters can cast ballots on the referendum between 2:30-9pm.
It would be easy for voters in both Brick and Manchester to simply say “no” because nobody wants to pay a penny more in taxes. However that would not be fair to the students in those districts today and the ones coming along in the near future. Safety and security, plumbing and electric that work, windows that open, buildings that are not falling apart. This is really not too much to ask. A “yes” vote is the right vote.
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$172 million dollars?! That is almost 1/5 of a BILLION dollars...and that is flat out insane.
Why should we trust this BOE and administration with that much cash when they are the ones responsible for not upkeeping the schools for the past 30-40 years? Thanks, but no thanks. I am more than happy to wait for State officials to come in and take an independent look at our "crumbling" facilities before I give this Board a blank check.
I suspect that the truly necessary repairs can be done for 1/4 to 1/5 of the cost. Unless, of course, your definition of "necessary" is a brand new "all glass" gymnasium, green roofs, and rain gardens- in that case, by all means vote Yes today.
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