To the Editor:

I write this letter in support of Paul Johnson, Karen Lemon, and Bill Hare for the Board of Education, as a private individual, as a Princeton taxpayer, as a volunteer in the community, as a wife, and as a mother of two PHS graduates, 2015 and 2018, and not on the behalf of the Board of Education.

The Board needs engaged, proactive, and compassionate board members who will ensure a budget within the 2 percent cap, will ensure that money is spent so that ALL students are given the tools they need to reach their potential and who will be transparent and trustworthy in every vote they make on behalf of all our students, staff, and parents.

Approximately 30 percent of Princeton households have students in PPS. Paul, Karen, and Bill understand the importance of not only a diverse student body, but also of a diverse staff and a diverse community that welcomes everyone. Paul, Karen, and Bill support the 2 percent cap and will keep taxes lower by managing the expenses and holding administration accountable to their budgets and smarter spending. They want to reimagine our current facilities instead of building new ones. They promise to streamline and look to our community for expertise, instead of just hiring consultants who don’t know or understand Princeton. They promise that even when your children graduate PPS you will be able to afford to stay in Princeton, where you have put down roots and made a home for your family.

The delivery of education, due to COVID, is changing and Bill, Karen, and Paul are ready to be the leaders needed to ensure that all our students are heard and that their safety, mental, and physical health and wellness will be addressed. They will support a level playing field so all students can learn and be the best they can be. They care deeply about supporting every student to be their best self and will support, not cut, educational services and staff needed so all students can thrive, value themselves, and respect each other.  

This is a unique time for our community and our schools. We have all witnessed the world rapidly changing due to COVID, horrific racial injustices, and financial uncertainty. We need Board of Education members who can handle all of these issues, while being strong leaders and ensuring that the district is providing a robust academic education that allows for ALL of our students to thrive.

Princeton residents deserve a Board of Education that will represent their interests and Paul, Karen, and Bill are committed to earning your trust and your vote. Please join me in voting for Bill Hare, Paul Johnson, and Karen Lemon for Board of Education.

Debbie Bronfeld
Dodds Lane