A lack of discord among Freehold Township board and teachers indicates a school district that works

The News Transcript does a thorough job reporting all the latest happenings that affect the citizens of Freehold Township. I rely on the News Transcript to keep me abreast of municipal, business and school activities in the community. Free-hold Township is a very desirable community in which to raise a family.

One of the most important aspects of our community is our school system.

I read your article on Jan. 12, 2005 regarding the latest school board negotiations with the Freehold Township Education Association (FTEA) and the details of the teachers contract.

It reminded me of what a desirable town we live in: no discord between the teachers‚ union and the school board translates into a much better community in which to live.

Teachers salaries and benefits are very good in Freehold Town-ship. That makes Freehold Town-ship a desirable school district in which to teach. It also makes Freehold Township a very competitive place to get a teaching job.

This translates into the best candidates receiving the teaching jobs and the best teachers possible teaching our children.

Anyone who has children in our school district is impressed with the high quality of teachers and innovative programs being implemented in our schools each day. Our school facilities improve each year.

It is obvious our administration, led by superintendent Dr. Catherine Snyder, will continue to strive to bring the children of Freehold Township the best educational opportunities our taxes can support.

In response to the citizen’s letter to the editor printed on Feb. 2, 2005, yes, we would all like to pay a little less in taxes.

But is it not true that our property values have increased significantly here in Freehold Township with the building of the new school and expansion of facilities and programs, as well as full-day kindergarten, again reflecting what a desirable place Freehold Township is to raise a family?

How often do we hear from people who would love to live in Freehold Township to have their children benefit from our excellent school system?

This should be the focus of our attention when we read about the latest FTEA contract.

As a parent, I realize each day that my school taxes are well spent on the quality education my children receive in Freehold Township schools.

I urge other parents to go out and support our children and vote for our school budget in April. It is unfortunate that the state and federal governments can put requirements for our school district in place and then not provide the funding for those programs.

It is up to us as parents and citizens to support our educators and our children here in Freehold Township. We must continue to raise the bar of excellence in our schools by supporting the school budget and teachers contract.

Winners and losers? Most of all, our children and grandchildren are the winners when schools can afford to provide them with the very best teachers and programs.

Victoria Pakala Landman

Freehold Township