There’s a lot we can do to improve our schools here in Clark, NJ. Our children deserve the best, and with the right priorities and actions, we can give them just that. It starts with leadership that’s focused on making smart decisions for the town and its schools, ensuring that our kids are equipped for success while keeping our residents protected from unnecessary financial burdens.
Prioritizing Schools in Town Business
First and foremost, we need to make sure schools are a top priority when managing town business and making agreements. Strong schools benefit everyone—they raise property values, keep families in town, and prepare the next generation for the future. By setting clear goals for school improvements and working with residents, we can make meaningful changes.
Some of the goals we want to set are:
- Better Teacher Salaries: Our teachers are the backbone of our schools. Paying them what they deserve shows that we value their hard work and ensures we attract the best educators for our kids.
- Air-Conditioned Classrooms: It’s hard to learn when you’re too hot. Making sure our schools have air conditioning isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for keeping students focused and comfortable.
- Expanding Pre-K Programs and Facilities: Early education is important for setting kids on the right path. Expanding pre-kindergarten options will help more families get their children started off strong.
Recognizing Academic Success
We often hear about athletic achievements, but academics should get just as much attention. One of our goals is to set up town-recognized academic awards, so we can celebrate our students’ hard work in the classroom, just like we do on the field. We also want to host academic competitions—like engineering challenges and art shows—that give students the chance to shine outside of their regular schoolwork.
Protecting Residents from Unnecessary Taxes
A big concern for many of us is how we fund our schools. We want to make sure our residents aren’t overburdened with school taxes, especially when new developments come into town. That’s why we’ll work hard to negotiate better deals with developers. We will ensure that any developments that don’t contribute directly to the school tax levy still provide financial support to our schools through PILOT agreements (Payments In Lieu of Taxes).
By splitting the revenue from these agreements with the school district, we can help offset the cost of new students without raising taxes on existing residents. We will also negotiate better terms for future developments, like lowered discounts and shorter terms, so our schools can get the funding they need without putting more strain on taxpayers.
Money Isn’t Everything, But It Helps
While we know money doesn’t solve every problem, it does help provide better resources for our students and teachers. Better teacher salaries, improved school facilities, and up-to-date equipment all require funding. Our goal is to ensure that the school board gets the resources they need to execute their plans for our children’s education.
We Believe in Solutions, Not Excuses
Some people might say that nothing can be done to improve our schools, but we don’t subscribe to that defeatist attitude. We believe that with the right leadership, Clark’s schools can be better than ever. By making schools a priority, negotiating smarter deals for the town, and ensuring that our students and teachers are supported, we can lay a strong foundation for long-term success.
Clark’s schools have been in a down trend, but together, we can make sure our children are getting the education they deserve without putting an extra burden on our hardworking residents. It’s time for new leadership that believes in making real changes for the betterment of our schools and our town.
