To the Editor: In 2004, the Legislature enacted S-1701. S-1701 is known as the Budget Cap Law. It has negatively impacted our schools in West Milford and across the state with unrealistic budgetary restrictions. Since the passage of the law, efforts have been made to repeal it or, at least, amend it. This past summer, A-3680, a bill to amend S-1701, unanimously passed the Assembly. Its’ companion bills in the Senate, S-2278 and S-2329, have not been placed on the legislative calendar, which means that at this time, the amendment will not be considered. The State has not increased aid to West Milford schools in five years, not even to keep pace with inflation. To date, West Milford schools have spent on fuel what was spent for fuel for West Milford schools for ALL of last year! The money has to come from somewhere to meet these needs. Our children have felt the impacts of S-1701 in various ways. Parents in some of our schools are urging the Board of Education to hire more teachers to create smaller class sizes. This cannot be done because of the budgetary constraints of S-1701. Programs, such as Learning Unlimited, have been reduced because of the budgetary constraints of S-1701. Surcharges for parking have been implemented to offset some of the sting of S-1701. The administration is doing what it can but its options are limited to scaling back programs or raising revenue by charging us for amenities that were once free of charge. Something needs to be done at a higher level. The only way to get relief from S-1701 is legislatively. At this point, that means contacting our senators and urging them to put S-2278 and S-2329 on the calendar and to vote for its passage now, not years from now. Our senators are supposed to be working for us. Make sure they do by contacting them as set forth below. We all need to take action to support our children! Sherry L. Foley West Milford Senate Contacts: Senate President Richard J. Codey 973-731-6770 Senator Shirley K. Turner 609-530-3277 Senator Wayne R. Bryant 856-757-0552 Senator Robert J. Martin 973-984-0922 For more information on S-1701 and its consequences, please see www.njsba.org.