Board of Education planning to hold federal money until next year: Finance Committee yet to restore G&T Arts
EDITOR'S NOTE: David Pinkowitz is a parent and resident of Iselin.
The Woodbridge School District is scheduled to receive $876,315 in Education Jobs Fund money. The purpose of the Education Jobs Fund was to “save or create education jobs for the 2010-2011 school year.” Despite that, I’ve heard from a source at the district that the Board of Education’s Finance and Insurance Committee has no plans to spend any of the Education Jobs Fund money this school year, but will instead wait for the next school year.
The agenda for tomorrow’s Board meeting is now posted on the district website and the Finance and Insurance Committee agenda does not mention these new funds .
Although Rochelle Hendricks, the acting commissioner of education for the state advised districts to consider reserving funding for the next school year, it was in no way a requirement and it could not be, as it would be contrary to the Federal law. The acting commissioner did request that the money when spent should be spent on classroom activities, and it is on that issue that I can agree.
The Board’s budget cut several academic areas, plus eliminated Gifted and Talented Arts. Although purchasing new curriculum items probably cannot be done with this funding, as those are not connected to jobs, one area can, which is G&T Arts. To restore it midyear would likely be less than the $149,811 listed when the Board cut it from its budget and it would restore an important curriculum item to an area that is woefully under-appreciated, despite the program educating more than 800 students.
Although some might view not spending any money this year as fiscally wise, it does nothing to help an economy that needs jobs today. It also seems like an unusual decision for a Board that has not hesitated to spend additional monies, even when those monies in no way helped educate our students.
During the Board’s Aug. 19 meeting, the Finance and Insurance Committee proposed to bring back the following programs:
- Courtesy Busing (K – 5)
- Freshman Sports (Winter/Spring)
- 10 Literacy Coaches
- 1 Attendance Officer
- Implement Grade 2 Literacy First
- Implement Financial Literacy (state mandated)
- Implement Biology Curriculum
- Refresh Technology
- Increase Unemployment Insurance
- Increase Security at Schools
It’s hard to find fault with the educational programs that were returned, as that is the primary purpose of the district. But how do you explain courtesy busing and freshman sports? Although it was last year’s Board that voted to cut these expenditures, every member of the current Finance and Insurance Committee was a member of last year’s board and all these committee members voted to approve the budget. They voted against it before they voted for it. What changed?
Go back to the Board’s June 29 meeting. After previously approving a contract with Chartwells School Dining to run the school cafeterias with a guaranteed return to the District of $150,000, the Board decided instead to rehire seven of those workers so they could retire as District employees. Instead of a $150,000 return, it was reduced to $58,324. Is this an example of the wise fiscal policy of this board? How does this educate our students?
A few weeks earlier than that, the board reviewed a proposal to enter into a shared services agreement with the township for the custodians. The Board approved an authorization to negotiate that agreement despite the fact that the bid of the township was $4.7 million (including snow removal) and a bid of a private contractor, Aramark, was $4.1 million (excluding snow removal).
Even if one were to accept Mayor McCormack’s assertion that the deal was budget neutral when factoring in unemployment insurance costs (despite the fact that non-resident custodians would not be offered positions by the township), the reality is that this justification lasts for one year only. These custodians are no longer district employees, so unless the township improves its bid, the board will be forced to go with a similar private bid, as unemployment will no longer be an issue. Based on one year, the jury is still out as to whether this is a good deal, but it does not appear it will be in the long run.
It makes sense that much of the money should be reserved for next year, as in many cases, the jobs returned would not benefit the students academically or there would be too much disruption to school schedules, which are already set.
G&T Arts is different. Students were regularly accepted into the program during the school year. The arts are part of the school curriculum. Over 800 students would benefit. It also uses a small portion of the designated funds. It is a no-brainer. If the board is still worried, then cut some of those restored programs, which benefit no student in the classroom or help fewer students than G&T Arts.
When the board meets at Avenel Middle School on Wednesday, they should do the right thing and restore this important program.