Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Budgets, Spelling Bees and Sports

I will not pretend to know much about the budget crisis that has forced Governor Christie to issue dire warnings about cuts in state aid to schools and municipalities. However what does leave me scratching my head is the simple fact that schools that have been efficient are the ones being hit the hardest which simply does not make sense. Last month their so-called surpluses were taken away without any discussion with the message being that since you didn’t spend it yet you really don’t need it. That is like dipping into an individual’s savings account and taking their money because if they’ve managed to save it then they can live without it. Doesn’t seem very fair and also does not send a great message…rather it’s telling schools to spend every dime they have no matter what. However with my limited knowledge of the subject the one factor that continues to disturb me is that the money spent to allegedly educate students in urban districts like Elizabeth, Newark and Jersey City is much greater then schools of even the same size in our area. Despite the fiscal woes of the state take a look at the amount of aid that heads north and then ask the question….shouldn’t we demand those schools be just as efficient?

Congratulations to Jake Muldowney, an 8th grade student at Toms River Intermediate South. He emerged the winner of the Spelldown 2010 which was sponsored in part by the Asbury Park Press and is now on his way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in early June.

While on the subject of congratulations. Point Pleasant Boro won the South Jersey Group 3 girls basketball championship by routing Deptford last night as freshman twins Kelly and Lauren Hughes combined for 34 points. The Panthers reward is a date with powerful Neptune tomorrow night.

Toms River South has advanced to the State Public A Ice Hockey Finals after pulling off another upset. Jay Malone scored three goals at the 16th seeded Indians stunned #4 Brick Memorial 4-3. South will play the winner of tonight’s Montgomery-Randolph contest for the state title Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark.

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