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What is the PPS Referendum and Who are the Board Candidates?

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The only question on the ballot for Princeton voters this November is whether or not to fund a $13 million bond referendum for Princeton Public Schools (PPS). The “Yes or No” question asks voters to approve what could average out to a $104 annual tax increase (based on Princeton’s average-priced home assessed at nearly $850,000).

With 49% of your tax bill currently going to Princeton Public Schools (with the allowable 2% growth this year plus more for healthcare totaling a 3.2% increase), one might ask what more is needed? PPS has put together a website to help to explain it but we will also break their proposal down for you here.

THE REFERENDUM

Simply put, the referendum aims to make security improvements, Wifi and other connectivity enhancements, HVAC upgrades and interior and exterior renovations and improvements at the schools. You can see the general financial breakdown of each as described in this graphic, taken from the referendum website, where amounts for each school are also posted. At the last public school board meeting on September 26th, PPS Business Administrator Matthew Bouldin explained that specific costs for each desired improvement are not made public to protect the bidding process. If approved…

  • All six PPS schools would have upgrades to internet service and energy-efficient climate controls and additionally receive security and camera upgrades and protective window film.
  • Updates to doors and locks at Princeton Middle and High Schools are also included as well as two new security vestibules at the high school.
  • All four elementary schools and the middle school would have minor playground upgrades with drainage improvements in those areas as well at Riverside, Littlebrook and Community Park.
  • The elementary schools would also receive fencing replacement.
  • Johnson Park and Princeton Middle School would have cell service boosters installed.
  • The middle school additionally would get pool area updates and ductwork insulation at the auditorium.
  • For Princeton High School, there are upgrades and repairs included to the kitchen and cafeteria, rooftop ductwork, at the EcoLab and resurfacing of the athletic and track areas.
(As seen on the sample Election Day ballot on MercerCounty.org)

If approved, the referendum would allow PPS to offset the overall cost with $5 million in debt service aid from the state. The Board of Education would be overseeing the use of the referendum funds in addition to the many other details and decisions they tend to, so your vote for the candidates will help decide who will be on that board.

BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTIONS

Each year, three seats of the 10-member board are up for election. This year, five candidates are vying for them, two incumbents and three challengers.

You may have seen their campaign materials or heard them at a forum, but it can sometimes be hard to weigh their views against each other. We have created a simple comparison tool to help you know who the candidates are and where each of them stands. Their responses are posted in alphabetical order, not ballot order (as pictured below for reference). For each of our three important questions just click on the + next to each candidate’s name to compare their responses.

(As seen on the sample Election Day ballot on MercerCounty.org)

Princeton is lucky to always have strong candidates for the BOE. This year, two incumbents and three other residents are vying for 3 seats. Why should voters choose you for one of those seats?

Experience matters to improve our schools for kids and meet critical budget and space challenges. Since joining the board, I have spearheaded the board’s complex, long-term planning efforts. Together we have stabilized district finances and implemented two successful referendums that have brought our long-neglected facilities back into shape with new roofs, high-efficiency HVAC, and safety and security features. We’ve also built new classrooms and restrooms, and upgraded health and guidance suites. The board is now developing capacity solutions to address near-term enrollment growth, with no time to spare before at least 1100 units of planned housing are built. I’d like to see this work through and to ensure our excellent schools remain one of the crown jewels of this community.
I am running to restore public trust in the Board. I was born and raised in Princeton and went through the then-called Princeton Regional Schools (PRS). I was raised by my mom, a teacher at PRS for 30-years and father, once President of the BOE. I am also a certified teacher myself, having taught social studies in American schools worldwide, working at a school for teen moms in Trenton, and I write or implement original programs like reading recovery. I know the importance of "keeping an eye on the cash register." In the past, the BOE has spent money frivolously on grandiose building plans and consultants. Somebody should be driving money back into the classroom. A different, independent voice is needed on the board.
I stand out from the other candidates and current members of the BOE in two ways in particular. First, I have younger children, at Riverside and the middle school. With the elementary school planning underway, the district would be well served by a Board member who is tuned in to the needs and experiences of families with younger children. Second, my focus would be primarily on the quality of the education offered by the Princeton Public Schools, the single most important mission of the district. With my background in education, including a PhD and teaching experience in public school and at Princeton University, I am well positioned to offer meaningful oversight in this field. The district is aware of its academic problems, and has commissioned an outside review of its troubled math program following steeply declining scores and missed targets. Yet academic quality seems to have taken a backseat in recent years.
PPS system has many good attributes, but there are areas for improvement. While the BoE does not run the schools, they do set policy & provide oversight. I think the BoE should be more data-led in its decision making & more transparent in its deliberation process. Stronger oversight of execution (ie. KPI/key performance indicator measurement & accountability by the Superintendent). All decisions need to have an owner who can be held accountable for the outcome (subject supervisors, principals, assistant superintendent & ultimately the Superintendent). I will advocate for more transparency in data & communication to the community. For example, in the upcoming referendum, it is important to have more detail on the field/track renovation (ie, there is a difference between being in year 5 or year 12 of a 10-year useful life) or the proposed PHS cafeteria renovation (ie. Are we expanding capacity 50% or 150%? Are we future-proofing for added enrollment for the new housing that is coming or is this a stop-gap measure? Are we replacing end of useful life kitchen appliances or are we replacing tables/chairs?) My current job is all about analyzing data and identifying what is relevant or not, and I believe I can bring a fresh perspective on priorities, how to action on said priorities and listening and communicating with the community.
The Princeton Board of Education is regularly charged with making decisions in a wide variety of areas, including personnel, operations, facilities, policy making, education and many more. My background in local, state and federal government brings an unmatched record of experience in all those areas to the position. Princeton prides itself on its excellent schools and also its diversity. I am an advocate for excellence and equality and believe that the voters want a school system that offers a quality education to all students. Casting a ballot for me will ensure that those priorities will continue to stay front and center as we navigate a challenging environment.

The past year was quite tumultuous for Princeton Public Schools. What do you take away from it that would guide your leadership on the BOE for the next three years should you have that opportunity?

Good people may passionately disagree, depending on experience, information and trust. As parents and citizens elected to represent our neighbors (31,000 and counting), board members steward a school district with a $100+ million budget and 750+ employees, based on information that can’t always legally be shared with everyone. We need to improve the tone and content of communications, and to build trust by continuing to listen to all voices, including the quiet ones, while staying focused on the best interest of all students. We should model the hard work of democracy for our kids – showing each other grace, communicating with respect, and learning from our differing perspectives.
I have the "institutional wisdom" to understand the educational ecosystem's policy, process, and politics and the ability to analyze data and make informed decisions about a district's budget and programs. I want to know what I don't know, so I "harvest the intelligentsia." This town has so many people with expertise and experience, and I tap into that. Finally, mistakes happen, but this administration and its incompetence cause too many unforced errors that result in education distractions, leadership discontinuity, litigation, and loss of morale. I would lower the temperature and prioritize what is essential (students/teachers) and what battles to fight.
Dr. Kelley and Mr. Chmiel were both hired by the sitting members of the Board of Education and the public conflict between them was damaging and painful to our community. I would like to see more collaboration among district leaders, and to see the Board focus on building a strong administrative team and positive culture. We need our administrators to work together to address pandemic learning loss, improve curriculum and instruction, maintain good relationships with stakeholders, carry out the strategic plan, cope with the budget crunch resulting from the 2% cap, and deal proactively with demographic change and rising enrollments. There is a lot of work to do and collaboration rather than conflict is the way to get it done.
I would push to engage the community early & often on important issues facing PPS. I want the BoE to explain the options that have been looked at (pro/con), explain decision for course of action/vendor, identify KPI’s to measure success/failure, define a timeframe to measure success/failure and identify a back-up plan (if necessary). I would not be afraid to pivot & recommend a different course of action if a prior decision results in outcomes contrary to that which was intended.
EVERY year is tumultuous for our public schools! From pandemics, to staff changes, ensuring student safety and negotiating labor agreements, the Board is regularly confronted with challenges that are immediate and impactful. Service as a public official requires commitment to the purpose and parameters of the job, an ability to listen and willingness to take action that is always in the best interest of ALL students, our staff, the district and the community at large. A thick skin is also very helpful.

As a member of the BOE, there are many hats you must wear and many priorities you must have. But, if you were asked to lead one thing, what would your priority/project focus on and why?

Two of PPS’ most critical challenges involve space and budget, as we strive to maintain class-size expectations amid rising enrollments, while continuing to meet student needs despite a 2% year-to-year tax levy cap and inflation. If re-elected, I would continue leading long-term planning efforts, applying my professional background in finance, organizational management and law, as well as my proven track record: two successful referendums implemented, seasoned facilities and finance team built, collaborative capacity planning effort underway, only 1.9% effective tax increases, and $15 million support from Princeton University.
We need to use our existing facilities more efficiently. Educational capacity at Princeton High School (PHS) and John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS) is based upon a 75 to 80 percent utilization factor. We must find a way to leave 20 to 25 percent of our classroom space. With class scheduling software and other efficiencies, we should increase utilization to 90 percent. I favor teachers over expensive new facilities. We need to take better care of the buildings that we have. I also prefer cost-effective and affordable solutions over enrollment growth, such as adding a classroom into existing schools such as Johnson Park (JP), Riverside (RS), or JWMS if necessary. JP and Riverside have beautiful campuses with room to add a wing with 6-8 classrooms cost-effectively for expansion.
My priority would be student achievement: improving the quality of curricula and the consistency of expert teaching in the Princeton Public Schools. This has been an area of neglect for the Board in recent years, and one in which the current Board lacks sufficient expertise.
I would want to focus on how we close the learning gap for the underperforming groups within PPS. It is important for those groups but will also help overall PPS. I believe my background (Hispanic, 1st generation American) gives me a unique insight into some of these challenges. I believe there are some initiatives that can be taken that can be high impact and low/no cost.
My priority has always been to achieve excellence and equity for ALL students in our public schools. Unfortunately, for decades we have been unable to reach that goal. Our test scores tell us that for certain groups of students, our efforts have not met with success. I know that as a community we are smart enough, resourceful enough and committed enough to address our shortcomings in that area. If we lead with intention, consistency and commitment to address the inequities in our school system, I believe that we can make progress toward ensuring that every student graduates with the skills and opportunity to succeed in life.

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To provide a little more background, we also compiled brief bios for each candidate here:

Beth Behrend
A PPS parent and corporate attorney, Beth has served as Board President, Long-Term Planning Chair, and on all other board committees. She serves as one of two invited NJ board-member representatives on the Executive Board of the Garden State Coalition of Schools. Beth previously advised Fortune 500 companies on finance and corporate matters, and served on many boards, including the Watershed Institute, the Riverside School PTO, the PTO Council and UUCP.

Adam Bierman
I was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey where I went through the entire then-called Princeton Regional School System (PRS). Public service and education are in my family’s DNA. My mom was a teacher in the PRS for 30+ years. My dad served as school board president. I teach social studies in American schools worldwide, mainly in Latin America and China and currently work at a school for teen moms in Trenton, New Jersey. There, I teach social studies and help out with PE class. I also originate and implement programs such as Reading Recovery, verbal de-escalation, Business ESL, and a full-service sex Ed program working with Planned Parenthood.

Eleanor Hubbard
A historian by training, Eleanor Hubbard moved to Princeton to teach at Princeton University, and lives here with her husband and their three children, who all attend the Princeton Public Schools. Before earning her PhD from Harvard University, she taught public school in the South Bronx as a New York City Teaching Fellow. Her interest in children and education also led her to serve for eight years as a trustee of UNOW, the early childhood center. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and singing in the choir Princeton Pro Musica.

Rene Obregon
I was born and raised in Clifton, NJ and have resided in Princeton for the last 14 years. My wife, Karolin Obregon, is a teacher at Cherry Hill Nursery School. We have 2 teenage boys who both went to Johnson Park, PMS and are now in PHS. I am a bilingual first generation American of Peruvian & Cuban parents. I graduated from Lehigh University and for the last 25 years I have worked in finance in NYC. I am currently the CEO of Numis Securities, Inc.

Michelle Tuck-Ponder
Michele Tuck-Ponder is a 32-year resident of Princeton. She has served two terms on the Princeton Board of Education and was elected to two terms on the Princeton Township Committee, including three years as the town’s Mayor. Michele was a Commissioner of the Princeton Housing Authority, a member of New Jersey’s Martin Luther King Commission and held positions in the United States Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and the Office of the Governor. She is currently the CEO of Destination Imagination, Inc., a global creative education program. A graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Michele is married to Rhinold Ponder, Esq. and has two children: Jamaica (PHS 2017) and William, a junior at Princeton HS.

To vote for the Board of Education candidates and weigh in on the referendum, you must complete that section of the ballot. How, where and when to vote is detailed in this issue, in the article The General Election: Who’s Running? What’s New? What’s at Stake?

Editor’s Note

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At every age, there are things that one must face in life. Some are within one’s control, others are not. With numerous decisions and recent happenings that can have an impact on various age groups, the best way to stay on top of them is to be aware. So, this month, Princeton Perspectives is delving into them in the issue Changes That Can Have a Strong Impact on Your Life.

Celebrating a big anniversary or pushing yourself to benefit others are two things that can impact people. They’re also the topics of the two Perspectives Revisited items we’re updating you on this month. Read below to see what’s happening.

What changes have happened recently that you’ve had to deal with? That’s what we asked area locals in this month’s Pulse of Princeton. Learning what others encounter and how they handle themselves can be great lessons for all of us, so watch the video to learn what they have to share.

There have been some changes this year when it comes to medical access, and it’s important that everyone is aware. Pregnant? Need a Doctor? There’s Fewer Choices Right Now around Princeton is our article that sheds light on the current situation of obstetrics in the Princeton area. It’s causing some to worry, so we hope to provide some answers.

At the other end of the life cycle, those that are aging are often tasked with figuring out how and where to live. The article How Can Seniors Remain in NJ and Also Live Safely in Their Own Homes? looks at a recent new program passed in NJ, and what is available in the greater Princeton area to allow for independence, assistance and more.

As one is growing up, there is a lot of emphasis placed on a good education and upbringing. Many move to the Princeton area for just those reasons. What’s in a Ranking? Does the Latest U.S. News Report Matter in Princeton? delves into the recent report on Princeton High School while sharing the views and context by which people view it.

Once one finishes high school, most in Princeton go onto college. Navigating Uncharted Waters: The Altered Terrain of College Admissions tells you what you need to know about the elimination of affirmative action in the admissions process, with a local perspective on moving through it.

As the new school year begins, and fall starts to settle in, we hope that you all enjoyed the summer and are ready to look ahead. Our October issue, as always, will provide you with all the details you need to know to be educated and informed come election day. There are many local and state positions that are open this year, and the winning candidates could have a huge impact on the future of Princeton and New Jersey. So, we hope to help you prepare to vote.

Until then, stay safe and read on!

Pulse of Princeton: What changes have you experienced recently?

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Pregnant? Need a Doctor? There’s Fewer Choices Right Now Around Princeton

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“Unfortunately, we are not taking new obstetrics patients, our doctors are fully booked for deliveries,” says the receptionist at Princeton Medical Group. A similar response is received when calling Princeton OB/GYN this week, “We are not accepting any new pregnant patients to the practice, we put a pause on that.”

“Wait, what??!!” types one frantic mom-to-be in a local chat group, upon hearing the recent news. For women and families who think or know they are pregnant and in need of the attention of an obstetrician (OB), the reality that two of Princeton’s biggest practices are not options is causing many to panic. Local Facebook groups and other chats are filled with concerns about where to turn for proper medical help and what the future holds with regards to OB coverage.

Rumors are quickly spreading about what is happening and why. Princeton Perspectives sought to find out some answers.

THE TRENDS IN OBSTETRICS

The best place to start is by understanding the landscape. There are very few private OB options left in the greater Princeton area, with the retirement of Jeffrey Hofman, closure of Comprehensive Obgyn Care of Princeton (in Robbinsville) and Princeton Medical Group and Princeton OB/GYN not accepting new patients. Nationally, the OB model of the past has proven not to be sustainable and there are several things happening which seem to be playing out locally now.

“In the current environment to practice OB, it is very challenging. There is a high cost of malpractice and constant pressure of being sued for bad OB outcomes that are outside of your control. The work life balance is hard to maintain, especially for young physicians who are starting out a family, but need to take a lot of call coverage because many older physicians are either retiring early or stopping OB,” explains Yana Markidan, of Markidan Gynecology and Women’s Health, who practiced obstetrics until 2019. “The insurance companies are constantly lowering reimbursements, so physicians are forced to see more patients either to keep a private practice afloat or meet the demands of large organizations who try to get the most return out of their employees. A Lot of physicians are either leaving OB, doing in house laborist positions, or leaving clinical practice altogether. Unfortunately, something has got to give to reverse the trend.”

Research entitled “Trends and Evolution in Women’s Health Workforce in the First Quarter of the 21st Century,” published last year in World Journal of Gynecology & Women’s Health, validates these points and explains how things have evolved.

“With the pressures of managed care, the declining rates of reimbursements, the economies of scale in private practice, the need to maintain efficiency and patient safety coupled with the demand for improved work/life balance, an evolution in our field became necessary,” it states.

In the late 1990s, the idea of a ‘hospitalist’ came about. A concept that has grown and morphed, into newer physician models for women’s health, which the research further explains.

“Today the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists (SOGH) defines a hospitalist as ‘an obstetrician-gynecologist who has focused their professional practice on the care of the hospitalized woman.’ Similarly, a laborist is an ‘OB/GYN who focuses their practice on the care of pregnant women.’ Hospitalists can help private OB/GYN physicians, serve as extenders for perinatologists, improve care and safety, and increase efficiency while decreasing costs of care, reducing liability claims, teaching residents and staff through example and simulations and improving physician satisfaction and well-being.”

THE EVOLUTION IN PRINCETON

Are the local practices changing to support a hospitalist/laborist model? There are laborists employed at Princeton Medical Center, but we’re still unclear what that means for the private practices. As the new situation evolves, the doctors and staff at Princeton Medical Group and Princeton OB/GYN are staying quiet. The only thing that’s been shared is something is changing. But Princeton Medical Center, where these are two of the three main practices with doctors on staff, shared some.

“While we are unable to comment on the operations of specific private practices, 11 OB providers, which includes physicians and nurse midwives, currently provide both prenatal care to patients in their offices and care for patients during labor and delivery and are accepting new patients. They work alongside our team of laborist physicians, who are employed by Penn Medicine Princeton Health and exclusively provide care in the hospital to patients delivering babies,” a spokesperson for Penn Medicine Princeton Health shared with Princeton Perspectives. “Penn Medicine Princeton Health is proud to provide comprehensive, high-quality care and services to support individuals and couples who are pregnant or planning to start a family. We do not anticipate any disruption to the maternity services that we have provided to this community since 1919.”

So, the hospital is continuing to deliver babies, but where can one find these 11 medical professionals for prenatal care if two of the largest practices in town are not accepting new patients and other offices have closed? We’re told at least one of the providers is affiliated with a community health center. Princeton Medical Group tells perspective patients they have no recommendations, to ask your primary care doctor or simply find another practice. At Princeton OB/GYN, they suggest all patients who still desire to deliver at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center should reach out to Delaware Valley OBGYN and Midwifery in Lawrenceville/Princeton. Delaware Valley makes up the other 10 providers, with six physicians and four nurse midwives on staff. The practice may be the only remaining local obstetrics option not owned/run by a hospital, currently practicing in the traditional private practice model.

“Delaware Valley OBGYN is committed to providing exceptional care to our patients in the community and is excited for the opportunity to continue to help others. We have a strong, dedicated team of doctors, midwives, and staff that will continue to work hard to give the best care available for both our obstetric and gynecologic patients,” shares Georgette Trevena, Practice Manager at Delaware Valley OBGYN & Princeton Midwifery.

Mother of three, Shelley Hunter, is now one of their new patients. She had first reached out to Princeton OB/GYN when she found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. Though she’d been with them for a previous pregnancy, they would not take her on.

“With my 1-year-old, when I found out I was pregnant, I went through Princeton OB/GYN. I went through their rotation of doctors. I saw all the docs in their practice and when I went into labor, they did labor and delivery at Penn Medicine. Then I got pregnant again, I’m already a patient of theirs, so I called them. They said they’re not taking OB patients. They said if you’re looking to be delivered at the same hospital, go to Delaware Valley OBGYN,” Hunter recalls. “We’ll see what happens when I actually go, but I was able to get an appointment when I wanted to, at 8 weeks. In that sense I haven’t had an issue, but I assume Delaware Valley is going to be an administrative mess.”

For Hunter, who has a history of developing morning sickness, she needed immediate care in the form of medication to help her get to the next appointment. Delaware Valley was reluctant to prescribe for a patient they hadn’t yet seen.

“Luckily Princeton OB/GYN, since I had a baby recently with them, gave me a 30-day supply of something. They wanted me to wait for symptoms to come but luckily they did fill a small prescription to get me through to my 8-week appt. The runaround has been annoying.”

OTHER OPTIONS

Trying to get in to see a Delaware Valley OB/GYN doctor may have additional frustrations, as a recent call made by Princeton Perspectives had a wait time of 13 previous callers just to get through to the appointment desk. For patients not set on delivering at Penn Medicine, Princeton OB/GYN is also recommending new patients can reach out to Brunswick Hills (now Axia Women’s Health), with offices in E. Brunswick and Hillsborough, delivering at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Rumors are all that is out there with regards to what changes are really happening in Princeton, with the reveal of the possible future model not yet being made public. The latest information does seem to suggest that there will be OB offered to meet the needs of the community, but the question is whether there will be a shift in the landscape. That could mean some private practices will care for patients through the pregnancy, but a team of hospital laborists will handle the deliveries at the hospital, or a new OB practice is going to emerge, a consolidation of the OBs from the different practices. Perhaps it’s something else altogether. Princeton Perspectives is being told that in short time, the public will be informed.

For those in need of care now, in addition to Delaware Valley OBGYN and Midwifery and Brunswick Hills, Capital Health Medical Center with Capital Health OB/GYN office locations in Hamilton, Lawrenceville and Trenton is another local option. Nearly all of the OB doctors on staff work at a practice owned by or in the hospital.

“Capital Health has both private practice physicians and employed OBGYN providers. In addition to our employed physicians, we have Certified Nurse Midwives that care for patients and also allow doulas to support pregnant individuals with education and emotional and physical support. Our care delivery model involves physicians who focus their efforts in the hospital and care for patients pre- and post-partum,” explains Suzanne Borgos, Chief Strategy Officer at Capital Health. “The majority of Capital Health’s OBGYN providers cover both deliveries in the hospital as well as see patients in the office. It is our experience that patients prefer this model as it better introduces them to the practitioners that will be delivering them. There are many challenges that obstetrical care providers face, but Capital Health is deeply committed to continuing to serve our communities and provide the best possible care for mothers and babies.”

Having a doctor see you through your pregnancy in their office is the model that most had been used to in this area. Sandra Wang, mother of two, had that experience with Comprehensive OBGYN, a Princeton Medical Center practice that recently closed.

“As someone who has had 2 high risk pregnancies, I was very dependent on the continuity of care. My OB’s office was with me through the heartbeat scan, through the countless trips to Maternal Fetal Medicine, false labors and to the delivery room,” notes Wang, whose youngest is now 18-months old. “In the hospital you meet so many nurses, doctors, and technicians that having the reassurance from your physician that they know you, your chart, and most importantly your concerns. It is so important for a mother’s well-being.”

It should be noted that Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ), which used to offer OB services at the RWJ Center for Women’s Health in Hamilton, no longer has any obstetrics offerings in Mercer County. If you’re willing to leave the greater Princeton area, you can travel across the river into Pennsylvania or work with other practices north, also delivering at hospitals like RWJ or St. Peters, both in New Brunswick (RWJ Hamilton does not have a maternity, labor and delivery department).

Though a lot remains unknown, if your choice is a local OB and to utilize Princeton Medical Center, it promises there is well-trained staff available for those that need it.

“The Center for Maternal & Newborn Care at Princeton Medical Center (PMC) includes a team of several OB/GYNs, midwives, and specially trained nurses. Laborist physicians — OB/GYNs who specialize in delivering babies and caring for individuals who are in labor — are on duty 24/7 at the hospital. These specialists are intended to support OB/GYNs, not to replace them. Penn Medicine Princeton Health will continue working with OB/GYNs in our community — both private practitioners and those in our employed provider network — to care for pregnant individuals and deliver their babies,” adds the spokesperson for Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “We are committed to supporting all members of our community who are building families at each phase of their journey, including actively recruiting OBs for our provider network (Princeton Medicine Physicians) and also working to expand the number of laborists providing coverage at the hospital.”

Will more OB/GYNs be coming to the community? Will the landscape be different? The feeling of many is still “Wait, what?!!!” until the future plans are revealed.

What’s in a Ranking? Does the Latest U.S. News Report Matter in Princeton?

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After dropping several spots in the rankings, Columbia University made national news when it announced in June that it will no longer share data with U.S. News and World Report for its Best Colleges guide. Columbia, like Yale Law School and others that have stopped cooperating in their guides, have argued the rankings were having too much influence (2024’s comes out next week) and not putting enough weight on the right things. Though college and graduate school rankings do strongly influence one’s decision to apply to and attend a school, what are U.S. News Best High Schools rankings intended for? Princeton High School (PHS), which was once ranked the 94th Best U.S. High School back in 2009 dropped to #534 in the latest rankings that came out this August. It has been in a steady decline in these rankings, with one exception, since at least 2017.

For colleges, U.S. News and World Report changed its methodology in May, in reaction to some of the criticism. This included gathering data not just from the colleges directly but from public resources as well. For high schools, all data used to determine the rankings is from 3rd parties, such as a U.S. Department of Education website, which updates basic demographic and enrollment data annually. It also utilizes state standardized assessment data and information from College Board and International Baccalaureate. Does this make the high school rankings more accurate? More importantly, do the people of Princeton or those considering moving here really care?

THE PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVES

“It’s not what the school system is worth, it’s what you do with the school system that makes you worth something,” states Martin Bendersky. He has lived in Princeton for 32 years but raised his daughter, who has found professional success, through the nearby Lawrence school system.

Bendersky says he does not really care about his home value, as he intends to live the rest of his years there, and he generally finds rankings to be “just a number.” A local mother with children at Community Park School feels similarly, citing concern that a focus on the rankings just puts more pressure on kids.

“I didn’t look at the rankings when moving here. Schools are based on zip codes so I knew, in this affluent area, the schools would be good, or be good enough.”

Is good enough, OK? Not for everyone that’s chosen to move here. Local Facebook groups include numerous concerned comments from parents worried about their home values and the quality of education for their children. One such parent, Christine Ritchie, who has 9th and 11thgraders at PHS (with a 6thgrader in Cranbury) moved to the area for Princeton High School in 2021 and is alarmed about the already decreased rankings since she arrived.

“It does tell a story and especially a trending story. I don’t think you can completely reengineer your district or change how you’re governing to focus on the rankings, but I believe they do show a trend. The fact the rankings in Princeton have gone down – and not just 1 or 2 but 10, 50, 100 a year – is pretty material,” says Ritchie. “We looked at Hopewell, but when we compared the rankings, it didn’t look like the right district for us, the rankings weren’t good enough. That’s where we made a deliberate choice. We wanted to be in Princeton, but couldn’t find anything, so we’re in Cranbury. But we were focused on Princeton because of the rankings and all the things we read about the district. If I knew everything about Princeton I know now, I wouldn’t have been so focused on buying here.”

Another parent, father of 3 daughters with the oldest in 4th grade at Princeton Charter School, does not intend to send his girls to Princeton High School due to the latest statistics and happenings. “At the high school, rankings definitely matter,” he concludes. “I’m from the Trenton school system, so this is an upgrade. But I worry, I don’t know how to fix it.”

MORE TO THE STORY

If looking just across NJ, PHS is ranked 26th in the U.S. News guide, with local schools West-Windsor Plainsboro (WW-P) High Schools North and South coming in above (at 17 and 20, respectively). According to the 2023 Niche Best Schools Report (which came out Sept. 2022), another resource that profiles and ranks schools across the U.S., PHS is the 12th Best High School in NJ, above both WW-P schools. It is important to note that as an overall district, Princeton Public Schools rank even higher on Niche, as the #3 Best School District in New Jersey.

“Niche named Princeton High School the top high school in Mercer County [of which there are 10 traditional public high schools] and the top non-magnet (open admissions) high school in the state,” responds Princeton Public Schools Board of Education President Dafna Kendal. With regards to the U.S. News guide, she adds, “There are so many reasons for the changes. One of the biggest reasons being that there are so many more charter/magnet schools than in 2009. 40% of the score has nothing to do with state assessments, which aren’t comparable across the country, and the overall subjectiveness of the rankings in general. We offer rigorous classes in all subject areas, 31 AP classes, independent studies, a world class fine arts program, all while serving students of a diverse student body.”

PHS has long been known for its rigor and variety of offerings, so that likely hasn’t changed too much. But the school did have 7.5% more students last year than it did in 2009. The diversity of Princeton’s schools, where 9% are described in the U.S. News guide as economically disadvantaged, came up with several of the residents we spoke to as well. Some wondered whether that factors in a positive or negative way. U.S. News worked with a research firm to score the schools, citing its methodology does factor in diversity and much more.

THE U.S. NEWS METHODOLOGY

U.S. News & World Reports Best High Schools 2023-2024

“A great high school educates all students from different social and economic backgrounds, exposing them to challenging coursework on the path to graduation. The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores in an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions,” the website explains.

The guide cites six ranking indicators used to score the schools:

  • College Readiness Index (CRI), based on the proportion of 12th grade students who took and earned a qualifying score on at least one Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam (30% of ranking)
  • State assessment proficiency, based on aggregated scores on state assessments that students may be required to pass for graduation (20%)
  • State assessment performance, based on whether performance on state assessments exceeded expectations given the school’s proportion of underserved students (20%)
  • Underserved student performance, based on how Black, Hispanic and low-income students performed on state assessments compared with those who are not underserved in the state (10%)
  • College curriculum breadth, based on proportions of 12th grade students who took and earned a qualifying score on AP and/or IB exams in multiple content areas (10%)
  • Graduation rate, based on the proportion of students who entered ninth grade in 2017-2018 and graduated four years later (10%)

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Prior to 2019, U.S. News solely relied on the CRI. That year, it reformulated to include the six factors above. The outlet also clarifies that while the details and weight of each of the six measuring tools remains the same since 2019, the pandemic caused a shift in how three of them are calculated. Does this explain the 440-spot drop from 2009?

“Because U.S. News & World Report completely revamped its methodology in 2019, rankings from earlier editions are not comparable to those from 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023-2024,” explains Dr. Carol Kelley, superintendent of Princeton Public School District. In 2019, PHS was #332, down to #356 in 2020, to #703 in 2021, #490 last year, and #534 for 2023. “While many people rely on published high school rankings, it is not a full measure of our success. Criteria varies for each publication making the lists somewhat subjective. Rather, it is our rigorous and innovative programming, our dedicated staff, and the high-quality educational experiences we provide to students that continues to keep Princeton High School competitive as compared to other high schools in New Jersey and across the nation.”

Everyone we spoke to does agree, high school rankings are only one barometer in determining the quality of a school. One resident, who has lived in Princeton for 62 years, said she thinks Princeton teenagers these days are rude and not well-spoken, so she wasn’t surprised to learn of a drop, but she also blames the deterioration on parents.

For others, while weighing the rankings against reputation, first-hand experiences and future success are valuable, there is still concern about what a large drop in ranking might signify.

“These rankings seem to be against the reputation of power schools. I’m very surprised,” SherAli Tareen adds. He has lived here with his family for 5 years and plans to send his 3-year-old to Princeton’s public schools beginning next year. “It’s all about the methodology of the rankings, but this seems like a large shift. It’s going to have an impact on what college you go to, and that affects the rest of your life.”

The Niche Best High School rankings for 2024 are due out later this month. We’ll let you know if those show any trends. There are a lot of eyes focused on what will happen at Princeton High School, since the removal of Frank Chmiel as principal last year and numerous concerns that were raised by parents. School opened last week with a new principal, Dr. Cecilia Birge, at the helm. Will this lead to any changes, perhaps higher rankings? Time will tell.

Editor’s Note

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Multiple days of humid summer weather that reached above 90 degrees. Bursts of torrential rainstorms. Tornado warnings and watches. Whether you believe this is climate change or not, this is extreme weather, and it is weather that has been hitting New Jersey this summer. Scientists and over 175 nations worldwide agree that there are things that can be done to slow down or reverse the extreme changes in weather and better protect our environment. Do you?

In this August issue of Princeton Perspectives, we will take a look at some of the things that you, as an individual, can control if you want to, in Local Realities and Personal Opportunities to Affect Environmental Concerns. You can choose to read on with an eye on what changes others have made that you might want to try, or you may still find yourself with continued questions about the science of climate change. Either way, we hope that you will read on to learn more about our region of the state and country and what things are like here.

To start things off, we went into town to find out what the biggest changes are that local people have made in their lives, to contribute to a healthier environment. Watch our Pulse of Princeton now to get a sense of what is happening around you.

On some of those 90-degree days, were you inside your home, with the air condition cranked, appreciating the cool air surrounding you? Is that air or your kitchen stovetop powered by gas? Is some of that air sneaking outside through older windows and leaky doorways? Electric, Gas, Efficiency: You Have More Control Than You May Realize breaks down some of the opportunities that every homeowner, renter or long-term visitor can do to better ensure you are using the best energy in the best ways.

Outside of your home, there are also some things that you can do to influence the environment around you. The article How Your Lawn/Patio/Window Box is a Frontline Protector of the Local Ecosystem shows how simple it can be to co-exist with the things outside. It may send you running for some new flowers for your yard, or at least get you thinking about the landscape you surround yourself with.

With the Washington Road bridge closed for reconstruction, traffic, which is normally easy at this time of year, is backed up all the way down Alexander Road. When you sit in that traffic, wondering if you’ll get through the next light, do you ever think about the cars around you? How much gas emissions are they putting into the air? Would you be helping things more if you were in an electric vehicle or are you already grateful that you are in one? New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has pledged to change things in the Garden State, in part by putting more people in electric vehicles. Are Local Residents Ready to Go All-in on Electric Cars? takes a look at what this pledge has accomplished so far and what the local situation is surrounding it.

Speaking of changing things, do you recall back in 1987 when New Jersey first started recycling? Many people that were not on board with it do so as second nature today. But do you know the right things to recycle, and once picked up from your home, do you know what really happens to it? We got a chance to ask the man in charge, and you can read our Q&A to get the answers you need in the article Recycling in Mercer County – Everything You Always Wanted to Know.

There are a few more weeks of summer before the schools reopen and we head into fall. While you enjoy the beautiful weather, perhaps taking a long walk or sitting on the beach, take a moment to think about how different life would be without it and perhaps promise to make one change in your life that can help sustain the environment you are enjoying.

Pulse of Princeton: What’s something you’ve personally done to benefit the environment?

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Electric, Gas, Efficiency: You Have More Control Than You May Realize

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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wants to move away from fossil fuels. To move forward in this effort, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) voted last month to ask utility companies in NJ to offer incentives for customers that make the switch from gas stoves. People quickly assumed that meant homeowners would be forced to replace their existing ones, and pizza parlors would have to get new ovens as well, but both were quickly dismissed as rumors. The reality is that the BPU vote hopes to encourage many to change their ranges to electric, but not require them to.

To accomplish a move away from fossil fuels, you hear a lot these days about Green Energy, Clean Energy, and Sustainable Energy. Solar panels are an obvious choice, but there is so much more that you can do. Even if you desperately want to make a difference, it can sometimes be hard to know how. Saving money can often cost money upfront, which can be a burden for many. And knowing what the best options for your home might be can overwhelm anyone. The best way to start is often one step at a time. So, let’s take the first step together to try and understand some of the options that exist and how you can utilize them.

A POWERFUL CONNECTION

Let’s start with your home energy supply. Most people do not realize that you can have a say in where it comes from and help control your own costs. The actual lines, pipes and other equipment that bring energy into the majority of homes in Mercer County are owned and controlled by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSE&G) and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). For most, they are the supplier of the electric power and natural gas as well, but simply because they are the distributor no longer means they have to provide the energy to you. New Jersey law allows for owners to decide whom they want their energy supply to come from to allow for more open competition.

“Customers can shop around for the best price on their energy supplies. Their electric and natural gas distribution utilities will still deliver those supplies through their wires and pipes – and respond to emergencies, should they arise – regardless of where those supplies are purchased. Purchasing your energy supplies from a company other than your electric or gas utility is purely an economic decision; it has no impact on the reliability or safety of your service,” states the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Should you choose a different supplier, you will receive two bills – one from them and one from your utility company for the distribution. If your electric energy comes through PSE&G click here or JCP&L click here to find third party supplier options. PSE&G gas customers can find vendors here. Though the primary utility companies are required by regulations to provide the best possible prices to consumers, sometimes a third-party provider might offer a better one. For example, if you have agreed with another provider to pay a fixed price for the year and energy costs rise, your costs won’t. It also gives you a choice of where you want your energy to come from. You can choose a green energy provider, that could get the energy from sources like water, wind or solar.

STARTING FROM THE INSIDE

Between pricing and options, there’s a lot to consider. If you prefer to start simpler, there are ways that you can conserve energy by delving into how you utilize your energy instead of where your it comes from. Home energy assessments, which bring a certified energy expert into your home to educate you on product options and provide simple product changes, could cost you nothing. Yet they could bring great rewards to both your pocketbook and the environment. The advice could be as simple as turning down your thermostat when you leave or switching your bulbs to LED, which use 90% less electricity than older incandescent bulbs. Replacing your existing showerhead with a low-flow option could save you 25-60% on water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

“A Quick Home Energy Check-up is a free and fast way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. In just about an hour, you’ll be connected with expert advice from an energy adviser, along with no-cost products, such as LED bulbs and advanced power strips,” explains Susanna Chiu, Senior Director of Workforce Development and Operational Service – Renewables at PSE&G. “Meanwhile, for deeper, more “whole home” measures, we offer the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program, which factors areas like insulation and air sealing. When you participate in the Home Performance program, you’ll learn how to optimize your energy use and reduce your costs. Additionally, eligible customers may receive up to $5,000 in rebates to make energy-saving home improvements.”

Through both of the above programs (and similar ones from other distributors) you may find out that your water heater or heat pump is not efficient or working right, and instant rebates to replace them are available through certain providers. Additionally, you might find that your appliances, such as your oven or washing machine, are leaking gas or using too much energy due to age. Sometimes the expense of purchasing new ones could end up saving you money in the not-too-distant future. And rebates are available for ENERGY STAR® certified appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers and more. For a full list of appliance rebates from PSE&G, click here.

IT’S AN ENERGY STAR® THING

If you want to change just one thing, and choose to get a new appliance, you will immediately make a positive impact on the environment and your monthly bills. In 2023, there are very few appliances sold new that are not ENERGY STAR® certified. You have likely seen the logo on appliances you own or in the store. It symbolizes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with the manufacturer to ensure the appliance is more energy efficient.

“Today’s products are efficient because they have to be, the government is requiring them to be. Those that are certified ENERGY STAR® are even more efficient,” clarifies Debbie Schaeffer, 3rd generation owner of Mrs. G Appliances in Lawrenceville. “When it comes to water, it is about dishwashers and washing machines. In terms of using power, it is relevant with refrigeration. When a refrigerator is ENERGY STAR®, the way they’re built are not sucking up as much electric power.”

Often, homeowners that are updating or renovating a kitchen will put their old refrigerator in a basement or garage as a back-up or for extra space. It seems like a great idea, because it is a way to reuse the product, as many of us are taught to do these days. But, in fact, it could be better to recycle it.

“If that fridge is 20-years old or more, and it still works and you put it in your basement, it is going to use a lot of energy to run that fridge. It would save you by buying a new one that is not that expensive (say $600). You’ll save $150-200/year on energy costs that would ultimately pay off that fridge after 3-4 years,” Shaeffer adds.

A unit that is only 5-6 years old may be more efficient and worth keeping, but if it is older, recycling through a program like PSE&G’s will also get you a $50 rebate for each (up to two) and free pick-up.

SMALLER TASKS

If all of the above is still feeling like a bit more than you can handle these days, here are a few final tips:

-Change the air filter on your home’s heating and cooling system regularly. When your filter gets dirty and clogged, your system has to work harder. That means more gases are likely released. For as little as $20 you might be able to keep your system running more efficiently.

-Conserve water. Energy is used to pump and treat the water you use, so simply turning off the water when you brush your teeth or getting your leaky faucet fixed promptly can reduce pollution and save you money. A leak of one drip every second can cost you up to $35 per year.

-On August 26th, Sustainable Princeton is holding a STAR Swap Party from 2-4pm at 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. The event is an opportunity to swap gently used household items such as appliances, landscaping items, entertainment you no longer use (books, music, movies), games, puzzles and toys, and fitness equipment. You must bring at least one item to participate.

When you finish this article, go check your most frequently used lights. If you swap five existing bulbs with Energy Star® products, the EPA says you can save $70 a year on your energy bill. One small step at a time you can make changes to your home and life that save you money and are better for the environment.

Are Local Residents Ready to Go All-in on Electric Cars?

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This year in New Jersey, there are nearly 10 electric vehicles per every 1,000 residents. The first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, first sparked people’s interest in a more environmentally friendly car when it came onto the U.S. market in 2001. Since then, peoples’ desires, government regulations and manufacturing opportunities have enabled a growing market. In 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation he hoped would help to reduce emissions in the Garden State, with a goal of having 330,000 electric vehicles (EVs) registered to New Jerseyans by 2025. We wrote about the state’s new climate goals in the article The Likelihood Local Residents Can Help NJ Meet New Climate Change Goals back in March, but things have already advanced since then. Just last month, Murphy filed to propose a new state regulation called Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) which, by 2035, will require all new car sales in the state to be zero-emission vehicles.

ACCII does not require consumers to purchase new cars, but the state has put programs in place to encourage you to do so. Financial incentives for people, organizations, businesses, and other entities that purchase eligible electric vehicles, rebates for getting residential chargers, and funding to help other private and public places install chargers as well. All this on top of zero sales tax on EVs that has been in place for years.

ELECTRIC CHARGE

The Township of Robbinsville and The College of New Jersey both took advantage of incentives to transition part of their fleets to EV, and multi-family complexes in Princeton, Lawrence, East Windsor, West Windsor and Robbinsville have used state incentives to install Level-2 charging stations for residents and guests. But a true switch to all-electric vehicles requires everyone to want and be able to do so.

“I do not agree with Governor Murphy’s plan to have all electric vehicles in this state. The electrical infrastructure cannot possibly take all the extra electricity without having major problems such as the grid overloading and then having to be repaired. This would cause no electricity anywhere. Every single citizen would have to install these chargers at their homes, costing thousands of dollars,” says Deidre Rawson, a Mercerville resident. “Now when I travel, I can stop anywhere to get gas when needed. 10-15 minutes and we are done!”

Rawson is not alone. When we polled 50 Princeton-area locals a few months ago, 6% shared they have no plans to ever give up driving with gas. Yet, the state and industry hope more people are in favor of the switch, and things are looking optimistic. 52% of the respondents shared they already have or are planning to purchase a hybrid or EV car. From the first Toyota Prius to today, the offerings have expanded greatly. In the greater Mercer County area, there are multiple EV-only car dealers, and several other brands that include EV lines (some additional brands are available only online or in other parts of NJ).

“We bought our 1st EV, a Tesla, in 2021. We liked that it was a full EV, and our work had a free charging station that was also part of our motivation and incentive to get it,” shares Jodi Mahoney, who resides with her family in Belle Mead. “It was less the environmental impact and more the need to not fill up the gas tank that pushed this purchase. When leasing another car in 2021, we chose to get a hybrid Rav 4 (not a plug-in). The idea of the combination without plugging in for good gas mileage was appealing to us and we do like that the car does get great gas mileage. In 2023 we got another car, a plug-in hybrid. We had looked at getting a full EV for that purchase, but style-wise and model-wise, we opted not to. This car, the Jeep Wrangler, doesn’t get great EV mileage but it gets some and it helps reduce the need to fill up the gas tank so often.”

THE CHANGING MARKET

July data shows that Tesla sales make up approximately 60% of the U.S. market. The other 40% are comprised of 20+ car brands including Polestar, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Genesis.

Polestar, with one exclusive and another mass-produced model currently available for sale, has a one percent share of the U.S. EV market (INSIDEEVs, May 2023), but that is already up nearly 40% from last year’s sales and further increase is predicted as two more models become available next year. Located just off Route 1 in Lawrence, it is the third store to open of Polestar’s 28 U.S. locations.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in sales with no sales tax on EVs and incentives to help customers. Governor Murphy is really backing the EV way of life,” says Nick Long, owner and operator of Polestar Princeton.

Polestar opened its local dealership just two years ago. A subsidiary of Volvo, they were initially a boutique showroom within the Route 1 Volvo dealership, where their service area is still located. Little more than a year ago, the Polestar showroom relocated to its own space about 2 miles north near the Porsche and Tesla dealerships.

“Polestar is driven on making sure the person that’s not already EV, knows about it,” Long explains. “After driving an EV for two years, I’ll never go back. The home charger, acceleration, technology, ease of driving the car, it is all better. And it’s better for the environment.”

A SLOW STEP AWAY FROM GAS

A quick look at his phone app shows the benefits Long is getting from his electric car, spending just $44 last month on electric energy rather than the hundreds many spend a month on gas. He says it takes just two days for someone to get comfortable and utilizing the interfaces electric cars have installed, such as the Google android system in the Polestar, which indicates arrival time and the charge you will need to get there. And there are a variety of charging options for these vehicles. Level 1, using a 120-volt household outlet, will likely take about 30 hours, while Level 2, alternating current (AC), decreases that to 4-6 hours and the improved direct current (DC) fast charging lowers that to around 30 minutes. The improved technology hopes to decrease or eliminate what’s called range anxiety, the fear of getting to/from your destination with enough charge – and something that prevents many from making the change.

“Acceptance of battery electric vehicles in general has been tempered by range anxiety. The current status of charging infrastructure has been a concern for many potential buyers. Driving range is also reduced by certain ambient temperature variations,” explains Robert Greces, owner and operator of Mercedes-Benz of Princeton. “The good news is that level two home chargers are available for convenience. These work especially well for owners who don’t have a long daily commute. We have noticed that many customers are buying EQs as a second car, not quite ready to give up their internal combustion vehicles.”

The EQ is one of five models currently offered by Mercedes-Benz USA. These have been available for sale for around two years and already comprise approximately 10% of new vehicle sales at Mercedes-Benz of Princeton, also along Route 1 in Lawrenceville. The trend Greces is seeing of locals not giving up their gasoline-powered cars is one we’re hearing on the streets as well.

“We will always have a gas car. I don’t feel at this point you can rely on only EV vehicles,” states local Stacy Greenstein, whose family bought both a full EV and a hybrid last year. Watching gas prices skyrocket in 2022 led them to reconsider their driving options, but she doesn’t think all members of her family will give up gas cars completely. “You do not get enough distance from a full charge. And looking for charging stations or to spend time pulled over to recharge is a pain. Charging takes time, it’s not quick like filling up with gas.”

This is something public and private companies are working on. To help local residents, Princeton installed eight new public EV charging stations in the lot of the municipal building earlier this year, and you’ll find 10 other sites across the county that offer them to the public as well. There are also chargers located at a variety of private business sites. But are they enough to get more buyers to convert?

INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED

When it comes to public charging stations, Tesla has the most nationwide. However, all other EV brands are on a system that’s different than Tesla. While some can utilize certain Tesla stations through an adapter, overall use will soon be even easier. In 2025, Volvo and Polestar will be switching to Tesla’s charging infrastructure. As soon as next year, other brands, including Mercedes-Benz, are switching to Tesla charging, too, once connectors, plugs and payment systems are all adapted and integrated. The industry is hoping this will decrease the range anxiety and help people make the EV switch.

“We have taken our EV on a few long drives, but you do have to factor in charging as you go.  It’s a little inconvenient but not that bad,” says Debbie Lu, whose family purchased their first Tesla, the Model 3, in 2019 and proceeded to get a second, the Model S, in 2022. “I think what won us over is the convenience of never needing to go to get gas and almost no maintenance.  Didn’t hurt that we liked the style and how it drives.”

Lu shares that about 40% of her family’s decision to go electric was to help the environment, which is something important to many people in the Princeton area. Looking statewide, more than 91,500 people had a registered electric vehicle by the end of 2022. That leaves 2 years and approximately 238,500 vehicle purchases needed to meet Gov. Murphy’s goal.

“He’s going to need a lot of help with manufacturers to have more options for consumers,” Long notes. “If we have the infrastructure, we’ll have sales.”

Infrastructure is of prime importance. But there are additional factors as well.

“Other considerations are dependency on the electric grid and the upstream production and acquisition of lithium, cobalt, nickel and other components needed for battery production,” adds Greces. “Meanwhile the worldwide race to produce improved battery technology will undoubtedly increase the desirability of battery electric vehicles, and perhaps make New Jersey’s goal attainable.”

If you are happy with your gas-powered vehicle, no one is coming to take it away. But if you are considering going hybrid or fully electric, you will be glad to know that the options are expanding, the infrastructure is growing and improving, and the state’s incentives are here to help you.

Editor’s Note

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Today is July 18th, that means that somewhere, someone is taking in the sounds of nature celebrating World Listening Day or puckering up to enjoy National Sour Candy Day. There are a lot of fun and important holidays on the calendar. Some are widespread and others simply carry meaning to a select few. According to National Today, there are 6,417 special days to celebrate each year. Several of them happen in July, and we are highlighting them with local ways to take advantage of and honor each.

Just to be alive and breathing in the fresh air of summer is something to celebrate. But let’s have some fun with it! The July issue of Princeton Perspectives, Every Day is a Special Day – How to Celebrate Them Around Princeton, has chosen four of July’s special dates to provide you with a deeper appreciation and knowledge of our community: Be a Kid Again Day, Hop-a-Park Day, National Lasagna Day and Be Nice to Bugs Day.

What days are most important to the people that live around Princeton? The Pulse of Princeton video shares some special favorites, and perhaps might give you a new reason to celebrate.

With real life going on, it can sometimes be hard to remember to take a moment for yourself. Be a Kid Again Day is meant to encourage you to do so. The article Be a Kid Again – Local Opportunities to Relax, Have Fun and Rejuvenate reminds us all why childhood was, for most, a joyous time and has some local suggestions for ways to relive your youth or at least take a breather from your daily life.

If you like to do that in the great outdoors, Jump, Play, Run, Eat – Local Parks Provide Opportunities for Everyone in the Community shares specifics about what Princeton Recreation has to offer. With different layouts, environments and opportunities, you should be able to find what suits you to honor Hop-a-Park Day.

Sometimes life just isn’t so easy. That’s when those that can, do for others. For the Love of Food – Helping Others One Bite at a Time reminds us that it is OK to ask for help, it is wonderful to offer help, and there are some great ways to get fresh-cooked meals. Whether you need help once in a while or on a regular basis, National Lasagna Day reminds us that a warm meal can offer a lot more than meets the eye.

When you see an insect crawling around your patio table or sitting atop your favorite flowers, nuisance is sometimes the first thing you think of. Be Nice to Bugs Day is an opportunity to remember that they have a place in the yard, too. The article They May Seem Like Pests, but Local Insects are Really Helping Out describes a few that you are likely to see in the greater Princeton area, and why you might want to be nice – at least for a day!

As always, we are also sharing some recent updates on stories we’ve covered in the past. Scroll down to Perspectives Revisited to find out what legislators are doing to try and create a safer and healthier community for all.

The rain may be pouring down lately, but here’s something to remember. If you’re stuck indoors, take part in a favorite past time with National Chess Day coming up July 20th or really indulge on National Junk Food Day July 21st! Whatever you do or whatever day you do it, remember there is always something to celebrate!