Pre-K rates make program unaffordable for Jackson residents

I attended the open house and feel I need to comment on Jackson’s pre-kindergarten program. After (the Jan. 22) school vote it was not a very good time to see the price list for such a program.

My husband and I were doubly blessed with twins but now have the task of getting them the best education possible. We both work full time and could not believe the prices Jackson is charging for full-day pre-school/day care, in a trailer no less.

I don’t know if the township realizes it or not, but residents could go anywhere around for less than Jackson is charging and that is for programs not in a trailer which provide the children a hot breakfast and lunch. Jackson offers none of these things and to not give people with multiples a discount is outrageous.

This program should be at a minimal cost to the taxpaying residents of Jackson instead of these ridiculous rates. We cannot afford the tuition of $620 a month each, that’s $1,240 on top of our $6,000 a year (soon to be increasing) property taxes for the school referendum and the 2003 reassessment of municipal taxes.

We will not even go into the proficiency testing scores which were not all that good. The township of Jackson needs to take a good hard look at what they are doing to drive the residents out of this town. The community school office told me there are currently only six children enrolled in the full-day program; there is a reason for that because the majority of the town can’t afford it.

And what is the reason for the price being $160 more a month than what I was quoted last year at this time? That translated into a $320 a month increase for us; do you think we actually make $320 a month more than we did last year? The director of community services said the township is trying to help out the working parents of this town but I don’t see that happening here.

If that were the case, there would be affordable child care and a full-day kindergarten in place. People are forced to go elsewhere and the children are forced to attend schools outside their neighborhood. Needless to say, our children will not be attending there.

My husband and I are very disenchanted with this town and all that has gone on here. After living here for almost 14 years, we are considering selling our home. We cannot see living here, paying these taxes and not using the school system with two small children. There is no longer a reason to stay. Regretfully, many people I talk to (young or old) have the same feelings.

Lori Gonnella

Jackson