Board should stop whining & cut the budget

Ifind it interesting that the Freehold Township Board of Education members are so appalled (Mindy Wille) and offended (Grace McMillan) that the Township Committee had the audacity to cut their defeated budget, thereby ignoring the will of the minority.

A few years ago the budget was also defeated by the voters, but the Township Committee reinstated the full and complete budget intact. Where was the board's outrage then, when the will of the majority was usurped?

Clearly the school board is used to getting its way and is not used to being told no. Like spoiled children, they rant about how unfair it is that they can't have it all. By publicly chastising the Township Committee, they are further politicizing the issue.

For board member Mike Williams to call the Township Committee "amateurs" is the real insult- they did what their bosses asked them to do - and the school board should follow their lead.

Voters asked that they not be forced to pay more for education - it is our right and our money. The Board of Education is elected to act on our behalf and they, too, should be concerned about their political futures.

Businesses cut costs and positions on a regular basis, and our Board of Education and superintendent must learn to do the same. We may have to do without some of the "nice-tohaves," but that's OK - it's what your bosses want.

The local school budget is by far the largest portion of our tax levy. It is also the only part of the levy over which taxpayers have any control. Do not be surprised that in a state with overtaxed and overpriced everything, we want some monetary control. The Board of Education can spend only what is approved and I applaud the Township Committee for its public stand for fiscal responsibility, because the voters want that.

Tighten your spending and move on - show our children how to face challenges and solve problems.
Kelly V. Barry
Freehold Township