East Brunswick schools need serious solutions, not blue ribbons

I was prompted to write this letter in response to the front page story in the Feb. 13 Sentinel, "E.B. in ‘Crisis’ Mode With ’03-’04 Budget." I, too, sense a crisis; however, this crisis is in the lack of conscience on the part of decision-makers to whom we entrust our children.

I was an East Brunswick student and have resided in the township for more than 25 years. I have noticed a disturbing trend in the attitude toward education.

The article that appeared on Feb. 13 discussed many potential budget cuts and prompted me to ask why all of the cuts involved direct services to our children. Are our children being sacrificed to stir up the ire of residents so we once again cough up the tax dollars? I saw no mention of cutting administrative staff in any school. Can we not afford one less inaccessible administrator and perhaps save the Gifted and Talented Program? I am concerned that the pursuit of national recognition and blue ribbons has largely replaced concern for education and opportunity.

I would be curious to know why we can easily afford all administrative and support staff but would need to cut teachers. Why can we build new additions to the high school, which consist mainly of new offices, while the children sit in cold, leaky classrooms? Why are we one of the only districts that cannot provide evening conferences for hard-working parents? Why is all school construction over budget and over schedule?

We cannot put the blame on the state and bemoan our financial situation. We must use what resources are available in an intelligent and responsible manner. Shame on East Brunswick for taking our students for granted and for breaking the trust of all East Brunswick residents. Shame on East Brunswick for threatening parents with critical cuts and/or tax hikes rather than rising to the challenge.

Take off your blue ribbons, and let’s get to work. Our children deserve serious solutions, not threats.

Cindy Jablonowski

East Brunswick