Public Education System in Various Communities
The public education system has often been seen as unequal across the country. In New Jersey, it is no different than the rest. Depending on location and town, the public education system can vary greatly. For example, in Middlesex County, Rutgers University resides in one of New Jersey’s most economically challenged towns. Out of the four Brunswick’s, New Brunswick has the worst public education system due to its demographics and median household income.
New Brunswick has a population of 56,792 with a median household income of $38,413. The poverty rate is 35.5% compared to the states 10% line. In New Brunswick, the Lincoln Annex School has 682 students. 94.9% are Hispanic, 2.8% are African American, and 1.2% are white. 55.4% of students receive free or discounted lunch and is ranked 619th out of 742 schools in New Jersey. Public schools with the majority being minorities often are at a disadvantage when it comes to resources and providing the tools and equipment to keep up with the education system. When you compare a town like New Brunswick to its surrounding communities with different demographics, you’ll see a difference in the environment and the way students are taught.
Taxes are one of the biggest factors that contribute to the public education system. In New Brunswick, the average property tax is around $3,000 which is below the state average of $6,100. In its surrounding communities out of the four Brunswicks, East Brunswick has the highest average property tax rate of $10,000 while North Brunswick is about $8,000 and South Brunswick coming in at around $9,000. All of these towns have much higher than state average property taxes. The higher property taxes allow for more budgeting to go into funding towards the public education system.
Being from East Brunswick, New Jersey I can confirm the demographics of the town and how the public education system is. When comparing a town like New Brunswick to East Brunswick, it is certainly unfair when it comes to equality in the public education system. East Brunswick’s school system consists of 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 Junior High School, and 1 High School from grades 10–12. Each of these schools have the best resources and tools to provide a quality education system for their students. Due to the high property tax in this town, we can see the money is spent sufficiently in the school district with well kept and new facilities, including the most up to date high end computers for students to use.
East Brunswick township has a population of 45,615 with a median household income of $108,000. The town’s demographic consists of 60.3% White, 25.8% Asian, 7.6% Hispanic, and 4.5% African American. The poverty level is at 6.1% which is below the state level. East Brunswick High School is ranked 103rd out of 414 New Jersey High Schools and has 2,082 students with 17.3% receiving free or discounted lunch.
When it comes to receiving a quality education in a public-school system, many forget about the resources and funding needed to provide the best education system for the students. For example, technology is one of the biggest budget inquiries in any school district and communities with fewer resources are often left behind to their more affluent neighbors. Schools located in higher property taxed locations will have a better chance of keeping up with the latest technology and educational tools needed to keep higher education standards.
Economically disadvantaged school systems face much more than just school budget concerns. They also have to deal with the potential of being pushed by the government due to their demographic disadvantage as well. Currently, New Brunswick’s Lincoln Annex School has been a controversial subject for many as Rutgers Cancer Institute plans to buy out the property in order to build a new Cancer Institution in its place. The plan to take over the school would result in temporary displacement and relocation of the students to a nearby warehouse where environmental issues are a cause of concern. Taking over the school would result in a redevelopment of the area and a new elementary school would be built after a few years.
If this school was to be taken down in a wealthier community with a different demographic, many in the community will have a much higher position of authority to voice over their opinions. Being that the school is predominantly minority ruled and economically disadvantaged their opinions are not as effective as those trying to take over. However, it will still not stop the community to protest against these proposals and even members of Rutgers University are speaking against it to protect those who are less opinionated.
