When we first commented about this round of referendum funding, we mentioned that HVRSD’s spending was out of line with other districts across the state as evidenced by the fact that HVRSD per pupil cost is the highest in Mercer County and second highest among similar sized districts in the state.
We received criticism for highlighting HVRSD’s excessive operational spending. Opponents argued that by examining all spending we risked confusing voters, since the referendum’s bond request is strictly for debt incurred for updating facilities and is separate from the pot of money used for staffing and regular operations.
In response, we focused only on the components in the referendum and associated funding.
Flash ahead to today as the election is currently underway and the messaging from the district is “if the referendum fails, hard operating decisions will need to be made.” They have explicitly said that if the referendum fails, district families will experience larger class sizes and cuts to programs.
Last week while addressing senior citizens at the Four Seasons in Pennington, Rosetta Treece, Superintendent, and Bob Colavita, Assistant Superintendent, said that the district could cut Advance Placement courses (APs), co-curricular activities and other academic programs. We should note that all these program expenses come from the general operating budget and not the referendum debt or capital reserves budgets.
However, the HVRSD’s own talking points have now reinforced our view that those funding sources are inextricably linked.
If HVRSD needs to cut costs, why would they begin with cuts to student and academic programs, rather than looking at other cost saving measures such as central office administration and redistricting?
As we all know, HVRSD has six schools. Yet, the district employs eight individuals with the job title, “Principal.” Six are assigned to each respective school and two are assigned to the “district.” Similarly, the district employs five “Vice Principals.” Four are assigned to upper schools and one is assigned to the “district.” Assuming a standard 30% in benefits, the total compensation for these unhoused “District” Principals and VPs is $731,030/year.
APs are the crown jewels when applying to college, and co-curricular classes support student physical and emotional wellness. Yet now, district leaders are discussing cutting both, but we’ve never heard mention of cutting any central admin staff.
Perhaps eliminating $700k+ in redundant leadership would go a long way toward paying educators and advisors who support significant classes, co-curricular sports and clubs!
At the same Four Seasons meeting, HVRSD leadership reported that some schools are at capacity and others require more space. While the district recently commissioned a demographer’s report to forecast the future, historic enrollment is factual and does not require forecasting. A review of our recent enrollment trends indicates we are growing but hardly “bursting at the seams.”
Yes, moving students out of trailers is important and fortunately, Hopewell Township has already committed to a $16 Million Bear Tavern addition. This type of Township/HVRSD agreement has precedent: Hopewell Township used PILOT money in 2014 to make room for the new football field by moving the baseball fields back to Timberlane. We don’t need referendum taxpayer money; we need a similar 2025 formal Memorandum of Understanding now.
Finally, the district is implementing short term planning that includes “targeted redistricting.” They should consider inclusive, long-term planning which may uncover more creative solutions that incorporate ALL district facilities. For example, a better use of the Admin building might be housing Pre-K classes. Many districts make school administrators more accessible by locating them throughout their schools.
There are many residents willing to work on our future enrollment challenges. Reach out to them, and they’ll volunteer for a committee similar to the 2014 Future Planning Committee. Then, a partnership of members of all three communities in Hopewell Valley and the HVRSD worked together to find a way forward.
Until then, we recommend voting NO to the second ballot question that requests $25.8 Million from taxpayers. As we’ve stated before, Q2 brings in no meaningful state rebates, the majority of Q2 projects have alternative funding sources, and in June, the BOE committed $2 Million more to its already lofty capital reserve balance of $7,646,954.27.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Rather than simply reading this commentary, please visit: http://teahv.org/insights and review the enrollment and salary dashboards. Check back often as new information and dashboard data are frequently added.
Sincerely,
John Hart and Vanessa Sandom
Former Hopewell Twp. Mayors and Twp. Residents
