Freehold Borough schools are doing great things for children and deserve the support of the community

I was recently asked if I was worried about people leaving Freehold Borough en masse. My answer was simply, "As long as the borough remains a fun, happy, safe place to live and my children continue to receive the same great education, I’m not going anywhere."

Of course, we all know that my answer wasn’t all that simple, especially if each month you attend any of the numerous meetings around town — PEOPLE (Pressing our Elected Officials to Protect our Living Environment), Borough Council and Board of Education, to name a few.

By attending Board of Education meetings over the past two years, I’ve learned that our three schools in Free-hold Borough are facing a crisis:

• Last year, the state defaulted on our last state aid payment of $300,000.

• The federal government is delaying $800,000 in aid based on "No Child Left Behind."

• Our school budget failed last year by four votes, causing the council to cut our budget by $80,000.

So, before our budget even gets looked at for this year, we are already down almost $1.2 million. Out of a $14 million budget, that’s a big hit.

Consider this: The state is currently using outdated enrollment numbers to calculate this year’s aid.

In the past 10 years, our population has grown by 40 percent. The state is using figures that are 14 years old. [That’s] another huge hit to our three schools.

This is by no means the first time our school district has faced such issues. The good news is that whenever this town is faced with adversity we always prevail.

Through grants, referendums and annual budgets, our three schools have made tremendous strides in educating all of our students, regardless of their strengths, weaknesses, languages or experiences.

In addition to current, updated classroom curriculum, we have made great strides in visual and performing arts, sports, technology, language and enrichment programs.

These programs have been deemed essential to our curriculum based on a set of beliefs and a mission for our schools developed by staff, parents and community members. Not only do we accept the diversity found around us, but we also value it along with creativity, imagination and individual strengths and weaknesses.

Not all students learn the same way, have the same interests or excel in the same areas. Our schools are committed to reaching each and every student and "empower(ing) them as knowledgeable, skillful and confident learners who flourish and contribute willingly in a changing world" (Freehold Borough School District Mission Statement).

Believe it or not, we are accomplishing this for less money than the average school. The average K-8 school in the state spends approximately $8,824 per student each year. In the borough — in an attempt to keep taxes down — we have only been spending $7,148 per student each year.

There are truly some remarkable things happening in Freehold Borough schools that deserve to continue happening. To find out more, please attend the community school budget meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. March 29 at the Park Avenue School Complex, 280 Park Ave.

Passing the school budget is one step toward assuring the future of our town.

Julie Kudish

Freehold Borough