The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
By Bill Connell, Somerset
The Board of Education is once again considering moving back the date of the Referendum. To this point the delays were based on getting as much state funding as possible before putting out the final number. This delay is based on having a proper, well-organized group to support and articulate the need for the new building.
The fact is we need the space already, not to mention the growth the school will have to absorb in the very near future. This point is no better represented than by the trailers at all our elementary schools. This is like putting an addition on your house with PODS or Pack Rats. We could continue this strategy till the outside of our schools look like a container ship in port Newark, but does that make sense?
One aspect in people’s minds is that they are unhappy with how the board has conducted themselves in recent years. I have been one of those people but the feelings about leadership and the need for space are two different conversations.
I hold the President and Vice President accountable for the protracted angst the district is going through. This all could have been done a lot quicker and with a lot more class, but they chose a different path. Yet, things will get better, the leadership will stabilize and we will still need space for kids.
I think Eva Nagy should get advice from Brett Farve before deciding on running for the board again, but we do agree on this issue.
The Seto Administration and Richard Seamon created a well-documented, well-thought out growth plan for the schools for this board and future boards to follow.
Franklin Township schools have served my kids well, and I want to make sure they are in a proper position to serve future generations.
