During the public comment portion of the meeting, Paul Long of Hope spoke against the proposed elementary school in Hopewell (referred to by the speaker as School 10), questioning the project’s cost and curriculum direction and urging alternatives such as school choice.

"My concern is that we're spending $70,000,000 on a government school," Paul Long said, and he expressed opposition to the school on fiscal and ideological grounds. He also criticized public-school curricula in broad terms and said he would advocate for school-choice policies.

Long acknowledged that the mayor had previously addressed questions about the project and public hearings, but said not all residents support the location or the expenditure. A council member clarified during the public comment exchange that council members do not answer to the mayor and that the council works for township residents.

No formal action or vote on the school project was taken at the meeting, and the remarks were made during public comment rather than on an agenda item. The mayor and administration have previously discussed the school project at the dais, and the council indicated public hearings and further information were available to residents.