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What does the 2005 vote mean? It has been a tough school year by any measure. After months of a halting and dysfunctional "dialog" played out in newspapers, websites, emails and board meetings, the public has spoken using the democratic tool that has made our American experiment so successful. There were four candidates for the Readington school board: The three voted to the open board seats were Tom, Rick and Joanne. You may click on the names above to email your thanks to these four people who were willing to sacrifice their time in support of our district. The three new board members will bring new life to our district and to the board meetings whatever their views. It is likely that the string of 9-0 votes on board motions will be broken and that a more healthy dialog will ensue. A strong turnout has indicated that the public is now sitting up and paying attention. Our budget referendum in Readington was voted down in dramatic fashion. The Hunterdon Central budget was also voted down by Readington voters in no uncertain terms. There will always be those who will vote against a budget referendum simply because they are tired of higher taxes. The 2005 vote could not be completely explained by that group of people. Instead, the large turnout against the budget can only be explained by the voters who have simply lost faith in the ability or the desire of the school board and the administration to spend money wisely. This was a vote of "no-confidence" in the school leaders to date, and a pointed reference to the lack of communication and lack of positive action over this school year. Put simply: the trust is gone. There is no more good will on which the school leaders may draw. Now is the time for our school leaders to show with action what they could not show with words. There is very little time to waste. |
