Budgets deserve support

The school budgets in North and South Brunswick deserve voter approval on Tuesday.

Even though both districts are proposing double-digit increases in the tax rate, the districts have done their best to keep increases to a minimum.

In South Brunswick, the almost $98 million plan will get the ball rolling on a new elementary school and the conversion of the Upper Elementary School on Georges Road to a second middle school.

In North Brunswick, approval of the $52.8 million budget will enhance the academic standards in that community and allow for the expansion of the high school on Raider Road to ease overcrowding.

These are well worth the extra pennies per $100 of assessed valuation that residents will be paying.

It is not the fault of the local districts that the state finds itself in a dire economic fix, with an estimated $6 billion shortfall.

Gov. McGreevey’s decision to freeze state aid to schools places a heavy burden on the growing districts, which are expecting a combined 800 new students in September.

Both of these districts have used several financial maneuvers, as well as surplus funds, to try to keep taxes down.

South Brunswick was able to refinance some of its debt to save money, and North Brunswick created a no-frills budget to do the same.

Residents can take heart that both districts tried to do these things in spite of what amounted to a reduction of aid from the state.

The problem may be the way we, as a state, have chosen to fund our educational system, and that may need to be changed to keep property taxes at bay.

In the wake of current events, however, these are good budgets and should be supported. We encourage all registered voters to cast their ballots Tuesday. It is our duty to make our voices heard.