Dear Editor:
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 is school board election day – and the Guttenberg Education Association is counting on your help to pass this year’s school budget.
We all know how costs increase each year, yet the state and federal government do not increase funding to keep up with rising costs, such as the increases this year in special education, the proposed increase in high school tuition and insurance. In fact, the state of New Jersey places near the bottom of the list when it comes to the amount of money the state contributes to public education. The state contributes only 35 percent of the cost of educating our children, down from 40 percent only a few years ago.
This is why we are asking for your help. Our district needs to pass this year’s budget in order to continue to provide quality programs and services, and keep experienced, highly qualified teachers and staff in our district. As educators, we continue to do what we can by supporting positions which affect children positively.
The first budget question asks you to approve the 2004-2005 school budget, and the second question asks you to approve an additional $117,000 for the continuance of a reading specialist and benefits, the purchase of new social studies textbooks and a cultural arts program for our children. We ask you to vote YES on both questions to help us maintain excellence at Anna L. Klein School.
Dorothy J. DeGennaro
President, Guttenberg Education Assoc.