What do you think of this message from school district website?

Our school district has now posted on their website this message asking you to sign this letter to send to Cuomo. Would you sign it?

Stop Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature from Raising Your Property Taxes!!


The New York State governor and legislature is currently considering several items of legislation that may cause irreparable damage to our schools and our children. As a registered voter in New York State, I demand the following:
NO MORE CUTS IN STATE AID: Our school district has not received an increase in state aid for the last three years. In addition to no increases in aid, the state has not provided us any relief in those things that drive school expenditures. Now, the governor is proposing another $4,500,000 cut in state aid to our school district. In just a few years, these policies have resulted in a decrease from 40% to 23% in the portion of our budget that is covered by state aid, and uncontrollable increases in school taxes.
NO TAX CAP: Our school district cannot survive on a tax cap of 2%. Every year, state mandated costs account for tax increases of more than twice the 2% cap. We would be left with only one choice, which is to cut our teaching staff by over 100 positions each year. In just six years, we would have no staff left; obviously an impossible situation. Without corresponding exclusions of cost increases beyond the control of our school district, a tax cap is irresponsible.
NO UNFUNDED MANDATES: Over half of all school tax increases during the past fifteen years are directly attributable to the combination of cuts in state aid and increase in unfunded mandates. All unfunded state mandates should either be repealed or properly funded by the state.

Message edited 3/17/2011 8:15:02 AM.

Re: What do you think of this message from school district website?

I would send the letter. Between cuts in state aid and a tax cap there are going to be A LOT of drastic changes in next year's school budgets. And quite frankly, from what I've seen when our district voted down a budget, the administration isn't going to make any cutbacks to their side, it's all going to be in stuff that impacts the kids. Districts will lose out on a lot, from arts to athletics and I personally believe that academics are going to be impacted negatively as well.

This year our district's amount that we have to pay into the mandatory state pension fund for teachers and civil service have both gone up over 30% versus last year's budget. If we had a 2% tax cap on top of the state aid cuts, that mandatory payment would take up a large chunk of next year's budget increase, leaving little for all the other increased expenses schools see each year.

I don't think that a tax cap is the way to go. I know a lot of people don't agree, but I think that smaller districts that neighbor each other should combine to gain some economies of scale. I also think that maybe districts should look into having families that have kids in athletics and clubs help to pay for some of the expenses. I know none of it's ideal, but something has to be done, and I don't want it to be at the expense of the kids.

Re: What do you think of this message from school district website?

I think it's a bit of propaganda.

I wouldn't want cuts that affect the kids directly but I realize administration will still stick their hands in my pockets and rob the teachers and the kids.

Our school system is bloated and could certainly use an overhall.

Re: What do you think of this message from school district website?

IMHO...it is definitely a scare tactic! Stuff like this goes on every year, and has been going on forever. I am a certified teacher who has been unable to find a job because of cuts like these yet I would never send this letter. The school districts having been dealing with cuts in many forms for years. While ideally they would have unlimited resources and our kids could have the best of everything it is not realistic in this economy. The truth is that they will have to make cuts. There are many ways to do this aside from firing teachers. For instance, in my school district they have cut out permanent subs, slightly increased class sizes, eliminated several administration positions, and moved the administration offices to the elementary school to save on the rent they were paying for a separate space. And honestly I see wasteful spending every day while I sub in the buildings.

As a tax payer I don't want to pay any more in real estate taxes than I already do. As a parent I want my kids to have the best education. I don't think these wants are mutually exclusive of each other. They will find a way to work within their means. We all do it everyday.

Again JMHO