Our View
First day of school signals
new beginning for students

Once again, students, parents, teachers and administrators in Millstone, Roosevelt and the Upper Freehold Regional schools are standing on the threshold of a new school year.

Time is forever marked by the march of students from one grade to the next on their inevitable journey toward adulthood. The years fly by, measured by science fairs, book reports, debates, school plays and athletic events.

As schools open their doors for the 2003-04 academic year, administrators are faced with the prospect of meeting more de-manding state and federal regulations governing student achievement.

Residents here are fortunate to live in communities where education is a priority. High academic achievement is expected by parents, teachers and school administrators. For the most part, students deliver the performance that is expected of them.

All of that achievement comes with a price, however, and because of New Jersey’s reliance on property taxes to fund public schools, it is residents who most directly pay the bills. Property taxes that support our schools continue to be a sore spot for New Jersey residents. Despite a lot of attention on school property taxes in the past 12 months, nothing has changed on that issue since the previous school year opened. Residents are treading water and still looking for answers from their elected officials.

With an upcoming $46.5 million building project planned in Millstone and the second multi-million dollar referendum in five years a possibility for Upper Freehold Regional, local residents could feel the impact of rising school taxes for the foreseeable future

This week, the focus shifts to the classroom, to the teachers and students who exchange ideas and information and make the process work. We wish them a successful year.