I cannot tell a lie: I didn't vote for the budget in the school election last Tuesday. In fact, like 88 percent of Bernards Township residents and 70 percent of registered voters, I didn't vote at all. Although I turned 18 a few months ago, I must admit that I did not register to vote until a week before the election, which put me past the deadline for participation.

As a senior at Ridge High School, I shook my head in disbelief as I looked at the election results posted on the Bernards Board of Education homepage. I was shocked by the fact that our township's voters defeated a budget essential to the maintenance of educational excellence, as well as by the low voter turnout in this school election.

Scrolling down the district homepage, I noted ironically the next announcement: the enthusiastic declaration that Forbes has "named our district of its 25 Best Schools for Your Housing Buck!!" I cannot help but wonder whether our school district will retain that ranking five years from now, when the effects of fewer teachers, fewer courses, and fewer enrichment opportunities have taken their toll on Bernards Township education.

After all, other school districts have eight period days and half-day kindergarten—but they are not ranked in the top 25 in the nation. Families do not move into just any town for the school district, but Bernards Township has always been dedicated to its children and their education.

Of course, I recognize that many Bernards Township residents do not have children in the school system and thus gain little direct benefit from higher taxes. Certainly, even with lower state funding, some Basking Ridge families will be able to supplement their children's education with extracurricular sports, music lessons, or tutoring. But for most families, these activities cost more per week than a 5 percent tax increase would add in a year.

Losing class periods and academic opportunities not only poses a financial strain on their parents, but hurts students' high school experiences and chances of going to good colleges. In my opinion, public education should be the responsibility of all Americans: the state of our country in 20 years depends on the education my generation receives today.

So, although the budget lost by 416 votes, I cannot help but feel guilty about my lack of political involvement.  I tell myself that I should have registered to vote earlier, that I should have urged 415 of my closest friends to do the same. I should have written more emotional columns for the Patch, or done something, anything, to help the budget pass. In fact, a junior at Ridge told me, "We, the student body, don't have the right to complain since the vast majority of us did not campaign, knock on doors, or even get many of the seniors to vote… we didn't do our part to convey how vital the tax raise is."

But is it really the part of students to ensure that the Board of Education budget passes? The Board members who wrote the budget were elected long before I turned 18. My parents, who decided to move to Basking Ridge predominantly because of its excellent school system, did not ask me if I wanted to live in a town with a well-regarded high school. As a high school student, I am not supposed to want more schoolwork. Instead, my job is to absorb information in class, gain experiences out of class, and enjoy my time in high school so that I can decide I want to do for the rest of my life.

Meanwhile, I believe that it is the responsibility of my parents and the parents of my classmates to ensure that Bernards Township students get the best possible education that we possibly can. And while we students should definitely vote and make our views known, the failure of our budget to pass ultimately reflects the failure of our town to ensure an excellent education for its children. The adults of Bernards Township should act in the best interest of the students—because ultimately, our generation will be responsible for the welfare of all Americans.