VILLAS – Deputy Mayor Norris Clark made a plea to the City of Cape May regarding its attempts to withdraw from the Lower Cape May Regional school district during the Feb. 19 meeting. The costly battle to try and change the school funding formula has required both Cape May and Lower Township to increase spending in regard to legal fees.
“Tonight we’ve upped the ante for more lawyers,” said Clark. “We are questioning whether the school is going to be able to bond. We are facing years and years of litigation and wrangling over this.”
“I want to make an appeal to the council of Cape May,” said Clark. “I want to make an appeal to the voters in Cape May. Let’s not go to court, let’s go back to school.”
By that, Clark suggested that both councils, their lawyers, and members of the community, sit down within the high school and have a panel discussion to talk about the timeframe and costs associated with a lawsuit.
“I don’t think the people know how long it’s going to take, how much it’s going to cost,” said Clark. “Let’s sit in the school and air this out together.”
Clark said residents of Cape May who are not in favor of changing the funding formula have approached him and he questioned whether the majority of residents support the city’s desire to withdraw from the regional school district.
“It’s not the people of Cape May that we’re angry with,” said Mayor Michael Beck. “Cape May City people are nice people. It’s their leadership that I have issues with.”
Clark maintained that the current funding formula is fair, while presenting his own tax bill to the public.
“I looked how much I’m spending on the schools,” said Clark. “It says here $3,372 per year. That’s how much my wife and I are paying. We don’t have kids. We’ve been paying this tax for 20 years.”
Clark suggested others take a look at their tax bills and then visit Lower Cape May Regional High School for a tour.
“You walk through the halls and into the classrooms and you see hundreds of students,” said Clark. “You see them productive, you see them learning, you see them finding careers, you see them getting hope. Then you say, ‘My God, this is a great deal for $3,300. All these kids getting an education, and out of trouble, and hope for the future.”
John Skowronski, of Villas, said he started to attend school board meetings after reviewing his own tax bill.
“I got to know Mr. (Christopher) Kobik, and he gave me a grand tour of the regional high school and I was dumbfounded by what I saw,” said Skowronski. “I saw a workshop that’s unbelievable, a marine lab, a botanist area, and I think it would behoove any citizen who thinks they’re paying a lot in school taxes to go over there and get a tour. It’s well worth it.”
Council member Thomas Conrad addressed statements made by Kobik regarding the school district’s inability to borrow money until the matter is resolved.
“Cape May’s continued legal battle to dissolve the regional school district is not only costing the residents of Lower Township, and the residents of Cape May,” said Conrad. “But now it is definitely costing our children as well. Let’s hope for correct decisions in the future.”
“Negotiations are better than war,” said Fred Long, of Cold Spring. “I don’t think we should lose sight of what the deputy mayor raised tonight.”
To contact Kirby Reed, email kreed@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
