Your Turn

Donna Faulkenberry
Guest Column

I am writing in response to Darlene Gliese's "Your Turn" guest column, "Increased Taxes Is Not Only Reason Residents Vote Against Budget" (Sentinel, May 10).

While I appreciate Ms. Gliese's feedback, there is no way for the Spotswood Board of Education to know her concerns unless she expresses them to us. Had she come to the board directly, rather than simply casting a vote based on misinformation, we would have welcomed the opportunity to address her issues.

+ Our language arts supervisor attended a six traits writing program seminar and has subsequently held in-service training as well as voluntary after-school training to bring our teachers up to speed. We did not hire guest speakers to come to the district.

+ Full-day kindergarten (which began three years ago, not last year as Ms. Gliese noted) is a program in which our children are thriving. With or without it, however, younger families are moving to Spotswood due to an excellent school system. Not to be overlooked - we received an additional $87,000 in state funding this year because our district provides full-day kindergarten.

+ The safety and health upgrades at Schoenly and Appleby schools are basic maintenance items that occur over time, and are not additional enhancements to our schools.

+ Block scheduling at Memorial School creates a need for more textbooks and also requires additional math teachers. The teacher who used to cover two classes over two separate periods now only teaches one class for the same amount of time.

+ In addition to supplies for Advanced Placement classes, some teachers must also acquire additional training. As for the need for AP classes, we will just have to agree to disagree. To the board, offering our students every opportunity to compete with the best students across the state is a mark of an outstanding school district and of a community that values education.

+ To hire a quality superintendent, you must pay current market value, not an arbitrary number. The average salary for Middlesex County superintendents last year was $165,090. Spotswood's superintendent, with 42 years experience in education, is currently earning below that average and does not receive any hidden perks. As for paying two superintendents, the board eliminated one supervisory position last year to accommodate this expense. Since we have not reinstated this position, the subsequent savings to the district is a minimum of $80,000 annually.

+ The board works closely with the Borough Council each year to determine the best course of action based on election results. The council reviews the budget line by line and listens to community members who attend its open meetings and voice their opinions. And even though less than 20 percent of the electorate is represented each year, borough officials are very careful to consider these results when making a final decision. The nature of their position, however, deems that you will never be able to please everyone.

To dispute the goals of our school district is your right. To accuse the Board of Education of lying and inefficiency, however, is unfair and unwarranted.

We welcome Ms. Gliese, as well as all Spotswood residents, to share concerns and questions with the board rather than rely on inaccuracies to make a decision. An informed constituency is our best ally and the only way we can truly address the needs of our students and the community at large.

Donna Faulkenberry is a member of the Spotswood Board of Education