WHERE DOES PRONTI STAND ON THE CONTROVERSIAL QPHS ACQUISITION?
Since assuming office, Republican Mayor Dan Pronti has seemingly avoided taking a firm position on the issue of the controversial acquisition of Queen of Peace High School located on Rutherford Place by the North Arlington Board of Education.
Despite the fact the school population has stayed relatively the same for decades; the purchase of this property greatly expands the facility footprint of this district.
In fact QPHS is by far the largest of any of the district’s other facility assets.
At the height of QP’s enrollment, that property housed close to 1,000 students and staff.
The North Arlington school district was able to accumulate a tax surplus over numerous operating budgets to purchase that building.
For better or worse they now own QPHS, but will need voter approval to move forward to renovate that structure with tax dollars.
For months NA TODAY made the suggestion that a Town Hall be held, that an open and transparent process be put in place so that homeowners, tenants, students and parents understand the purpose of the acquisition as well as the cost and usage of that facility.
To many, this has been vague and murky, especially to those who do not have children in the district.
With that parcel remaining off the market, the possibility of an added ratable and new economic opportunity which would have brought additional tax dollars to North Arlington is no longer possible.
Another redevelopment option and opportunity was never offered for QPHS and that was in hindsight, a mistake.
The residents most affected that reside on Rutherford Place had little, if any input in the BOE’s long-term objectives for QPHS. While the structure will warrant extensive renovations, what will become of the athletic field behind the high school?
What will be the timeline for new construction and when in fact could this building open?
As stated in the past, there are numerous unanswered questions regarding the scope of this ambitious project.
The actual cost to taxpayers remains a mystery, and that’s unfair to property owners.
Selling voters on the benefits of this proposal need to expand far beyond the school community. It needs a public buy-in and endorsement by the Mayor and Council and most importantly, where does the Mayor stand on this proposal?
There is a leadership void that needs to be filled.
The Board of Education is comprised of five elected volunteers who are for the most part unknown by residents outside the school community. The Schools Superintendent is the educational leader of the district, but is not a resident and not an advocate for taxpayers.
That responsibility lies with the BOE and the Mayor and Council.
North Arlington remains a center right, tax sensitive community. A community of blue collar families, who want to remain small, safe and suburban!
Property tax hikes remain the “third rail” of local politics, especially in this southern most Bergen County community.
When Property Taxes are raised by massive amounts, homeowners feel threatened, and in a time where home values are doing well, some of those longtime residents can be financially squeezed and forced to sell, especially seniors and those who do not have children in this public school district.
And remember, all homeowners pay the same share of the school tax burden no matter if they have children or not.
This entire project and proposal has been awkward at best and the benefits to the community are a mystery when compared to the actual cost.
The Mayor needs to display leadership and take a formal position on the project.
He is the leader of the community and the buck stops with him.
Since voters no longer enjoy the ability to accept or reject school budgets; they will have a say on these additional costs in the form of a referendum.
But the tooth paste is already out of the tube and the NA BOE owns this dormant structure that can’t be used without the investment of dollars to make it functional.
The NA Board of Education would have been wise to engage the community before purchasing QPHS, but that did not occur.
Moving forward, the community needs an open and honest assessment of all costs and what are the options for North Arlington at this point in the process?
The benefits must be fully explained as well as the cost and the residents should make the appropriate decision for what is best for North Arlington.
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