What Are the Most Important Issues as Board of Education Vote Approaches?

The Fort Lee Board of Education unveiled its $55.1 million 2011-2012 budget last week upon which Fort Lee voters will have the ultimate say on April 27. Those same voters will also elect three board members from a field of six candidates.

The total 2011-2012 budget is about $55.1 million, an increase of $2.1 million over the current school year. The result of the state’s new 2 percent tax levy cap is a loss of $1 million in tax levy revenue. The budget as proposed would therefore raise taxes 2 percent, or an annual increase of $83 on a home assessed at $500,000.

In addition, an $870,000 budget shortfall means a reduction in staff, including the loss of two high school teachers. The central office will also be converted into classrooms.

Meanwhile, one of the six candidates for the three seats on the BOE last week made comments suggesting that Fort Lee Superintendent of Schools Raymond Bandlow took part in campaigning efforts for the three incumbent candidates—Peter Suh, Michelle Stux-Ramirez and Joseph Surace—by attending and speaking at a campaign kickoff and fundraising event organized by Suh last month, an allegation Bandlow vehemently denied, saying he was merely an invited guest and simply encouraged people to get out and vote.

And not to be lost in the din is the ongoing issue of infrastructure problems at Fort Lee schools, highlighted most recently by a series of problems with aging—and sometimes failing—boilers.

The Fort Lee Homeowners Association will host a "Board of Education Candidates Night" Tuesday at the Fort Lee Middle School to which all six candidates for the three seats on the board—including non-incumbents and first-time candidates Helen Yoon, Tracy Mattei and Paul Umrichin—are invited.

Now we want to know what you think. What are the most important issues to you as election day approaches? Are you concerned about the budget? Do you think it’s okay for members of the administration to attend campaign events? How do you feel about the issue of aging infrastructure in Fort Lee schools? Overcrowding? And, perhaps most importantly, are you planning on exercising your right to vote on April 27?

Join in this important discussion. Let us know what you think. Tell us in the comments.