Thank you, taxpayers The Courier, May 8 Posted:05/13/08 To the Editor:
The Hazlet Township Board of Education would like to thank the voters who supported the 2008/2009 school budget. As those of you who know from visiting the District’s website (www.hazlet.org) and reviewing the actual budget and the material highlights, or from attending one of the many budget presentations made by the administration to PTOs, Township Committee, senior citizens and at numerous other events, the 2008/2009 budget held the increase over last year’s budget to only 1.84 percent, well below the rate of inflation and the state-mandated cap. In fact, the board is pleased to report out to the public that Hazlet Township has the lowest per pupil spending of any K-12 district in Monmouth County.
Being aware of the state of the economy and the ever-increasing demands upon the wallets of Hazlet residents, the Board of Education charged the administration with the difficult task of doing more with less, and the administration delivered. Hazlet continues to educate approximately 3,400 students efficiently and effectively.
Our teachers are being trained in-house to improve their performance through our new Career Academy initiative in conjunction with Monmouth University, our science labs and computer facilities and equipment are being updated, our security is being enhanced (unfortunately a necessity in today’s world), and our buildings are being well-maintained (it is not a fiscally responsible option to allow them to fall into disrepair and to construct new buildings) so that we are able to bring our students into an environment that will appropriately educate them in the 21st century.
The district is one year into a five year initiative, and the results are in. Student test scores are improving and the morale of our teachers and administrators under the energetic direction of Schools Superintendent Dr. William George is high. Hazlet continues to obtain clean audit reports from the district’s independent public auditors and unquestioned approval of its programs from the several state agencies it has to report to each year. Passage of the budget allows the district to continue on this positive course.
The board would like to commend the administration for taking a new approach this year in presenting the budget to the public in as many different forums as possible and making the process totally transparent. Any person who had a question about the budget was able to ask via the Internet, by telephone or in person, and their questions were answered.
Clearly, this effort paid off in the passage of the budget. While the budget passed by 19 votes, a positive vote swing from the prior year was in excess of 300 votes.
Indeed, while many in the community felt passionately about the budget and education in years past (both for and against), some were not aware of all the facts before going to the polls to vote. This year’s efforts went a long way in helping the Hazlet voters to be better informed.
The district will continue in these efforts going forward, not just at budget time but year round, with the goal of trying to keep each member of the community informed. Each Hazlet resident is encouraged to do what they can to help make that happen. The board asks that you visit the website for current information, attend board meetings (meeting dates and agendas are on the Web site) or contact central administration by phone or email with your questions and concerns. One thing that certainly cannot be challenged about this school administration is that they are open and responsive to the community.
The Hazlet Board of Education is proud to serve such a caring and passionate community and remains “Hazlet Proud.”
