Parents unite to fight school aid cuts

Wantage — With local schools in crisis mode due to budget cuts, a group of parents decided to join together to see what they can do to make a positive change. “It’s finally time that we stop talking in our kitchens or at the baseball or softball field — it’s time to make our point all together,” said Jennifer Craig, a mother of four and one of the founders of the newly-formed Sussex-Wantage/High Point Parents for Education. The group began working together in April once it became clear that budgets were going to be cut and that school programs would be affected. They started with just a few people calling each other or talking while at the children’s activities. Now, they have close to 50 parents on board. They created this mission statement: “Parents coming together to share ideas on how to improve our schools, save our programs and educators and work with administrators and legislators to fund our children’s education.” Getting involved The group is sending representatives to all of the meetings involving Sussex-Wantage and High Point budgets, as well as to scheduled meetings with the district superintendents. They had a large representation at the April 29 Wantage Township Committee meeting, where they received a positive response from committee members and agreed to send the governing body their ideas and suggestions. During that meeting’s public session, Craig said, “There are layoffs happening all over. We all have to concede. We all have to make realistic concessions, because the only people who are going to suffer are the children.” Craig said it’s crucial that other parents, and other parents’ groups in the county, join in to help the cause. “I don’t know how to get the word out, but it has to be in force; this can’t be just five people doing this,” she said. “I’m asking people who have parents’ groups anywhere in the county to get in touch and join us — it’s time to unite.” The group can be found on Facebook under: Sussex-Wantage/High Point Parents for Education, and can also be reached via e-mail at SW-HPparentsforeducation@hotmail.com.

It’s time to start asking the important questions that will help save our kids.” Jennifer Craig