Dear Editor,
The School Board elections on Tuesday – along with so many other events this year – reminds me again as I finish up our income taxes that property taxes in Hoboken have had a profound impact on our residents in the worst economic times in decades. The school-board-tax component is a substantial part, comprising nearly a third of the overall property tax in Hoboken. While I continue to be concerned with the city’s finances, there’s progress, and there’s much more work to be done. But now let’s turn to our public schools.
We should expect more from Hoboken’s School Board majority. We must demand fiscal prudence, and elect Board Members which will work to improve classroom performance and ensure our tax dollars (over $25,000 spent per student) are spent putting Kids First.
I know firsthand how difficult it is to effect change. It comes down to having the majority. We need to have the votes to make a change. We need to elect candidates that are not afraid to be progressive and carry new ideas, which will liberate our city, our school district and our children from the status quo. I am pleased to have supported Theresa Minutillo and Kids First in the past. Theresa, Rose Markle and Carrie Gilliard have upheld the mantle of change for over two years and we need to thank them for being there to ask the right questions, demand answers, push for transparency and full disclosure to a system perhaps more entrenched in status quo than Hoboken City government. They have held the line and brought change as best they could. But we have to do more!
It’s time to usher in three fine women to permanently plant the mantle of change that will finally expedite positive results for Hoboken’s public schools. With a new majority, Theresa, Maureen Sullivan and Ruth McAllister will work with Rose and Carrie to lower our taxes by eliminating waste within the district; improve student test scores in the district by placing greater emphasis on consistent classroom learning protocols; provide schooling to Hoboken residents with an understanding that a smaller district is a better, much nimbler, effective and efficient district.
These three women have demonstrated an ability to fight for change and reform. I am asking you to support these hard-working women and vote the Kids’ First slate on Tuesday.
Polls will be open from 2 through 9 p.m. If you have any questions about the candidates go to www.kidsfirst2009.com or send an email to them at info@kidsfirst2009.com to schedule a chance to meet them. Hoboken’s future depends on our continued success.
Peter Cunningham
Fifth Ward City Councilman