Performing Arts Center Runs With a Dual Purpose

To the Editor:
I just read an article about the Performing Arts Center (PAC) that contained the following quote from Ms. Aspell, the managing director, “It is our goal to make The PAC the cultural center of Cape May County and the New Jersey Ballet has helped us on the way to the achievement of that goal.”
I attend all the Middle Township Board Meetings as well as all the Middle Township School Board Meetings giving equal scrutiny to both public bodies. It is apparent to me that the School Board needs to consider replenishing the maintenance budget ($1,700,000 just spent) and figure out a way to control a underfunded school lunch program. They are also reviewing the need for cameras on the school buses, repair to the PAC piano ($7,900) and replacing a decaying school building (long overdue) plus whatever else is lingering that I do not know about.
The contract with the teachers is what the board (collectively) negotiated. I guess the teachers will not be surprised when positions are cut next year. Perhaps class sizes will need to be increased and programs eliminated or else the union can revise their contract. This is not to say that the teachers and their union are responsible for any of this, but the board and the union have a “collective bargaining agreement.” Collectively they entered into it and collectively they are stuck with the consequences.
For the board’s sake, I hope the PAC makes money operating as they currently are because when the bond issue comes up, the first question we should be asking is “Are we in the business of educating the children or running a cultural center at a loss?” Despite what was said at the Feb. 20 meeting, the business records clearly show the PAC is losing thousands of dollars a year for the last few years. This is either an attempt to cover up mismanagement or misguided goal for the use of the PAC.
Fifty-four percent of my tax bill goes to the school district while 26 percent goes to township/municipal tax. The township is not raising taxes and has effectively and prudently managed their expenditures.
I am tired of hearing from the board that seniors, people with children, etc., are on the board. That is not the issue. The issue is regardless of who they are, board members have a legal mandate (fiduciary responsibility) to run the board to the benefit of all citizens and the children of the community while conserving the public funds they are entrusted to spend. When you are on the board you accept that responsibility. It is always hard to make wise but perhaps unpopular decisions.
How to keep the PAC running with a dual purpose – as a cultural center and multipurpose school auditorium – some ideas come to mind:
1. Sell the PAC and rent it back to the school on an as needed basis.
2. Raise the fees charged to attend the cultural events to cover the costs of operating the PAC to eliminate any deficit.
3. Apply for grants from the county, state and federal government, if available, to run the cultural events at the PAC.
Fewer children are attending our schools and the residents who pay the taxes are aging. Unemployment is high and poverty and drugs are affecting everyone. These are very difficult times for all of us; deficit spending on a prolonged basis is not the answer! My wife says, I love the PAC for its culture, however first things first. Our priorities should be to educate the children while balancing the budget.