New Jersey has one of the best public education systems in the country, which is something to be proud of. But it’s also important to remember that we should always strive to do better.
Part of that effort is looking into how we can improve the system while saving taxpayers money. New Jersey has too many school districts, and it is a significant factor in how much we are paying in property taxes. My Third Legislative District state representatives, Sen. Stephen Sweeney, and Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro, all D-Gloucester, are stepping up with solid plans to reform the system. Their ideas are included in the Path to Progress initiatives (which include consolidating school districts and reducing future employee benefit costs).
Path to Progress supporters say these reforms will add up to savings of more than a billion dollars without sacrificing our children’s education. As a parent and a taxpayer, these are improvements I want to see.
The entire Legislature and the governor should be on board with reforming our system to save taxpayers money, and eliminate waste and inefficiency in public education.
Michelle Shirey, West Deptford Township
Editor’s note: Burzichelli and Taliaferro are seeking re-election to their Assembly seats in the Nov. 5 general election. They are challenged by Republicans Beth Sawyer and Edward Durr Jr.
We voted for library funding. Where is it?
Two years ago, New Jersey voters approved the Library Bond Act in the general election. It allows the state to borrow $125 million to build new libraries, renovate existing ones, and update library technology and services. But despite that the vote took place in 2017, none of the money has been disbursed for local library projects.
Our public libraries have always been staples of our communities, and the state government has to start using the funds that we approved to fund them properly. The governor should follow the will of the people and fund our libraries, as we voted to do.
Walt Woodward, Westville
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