A question of funds

The Baldwin Board of Education tried something new for its Community Input Meeting on Oct. 23 at Baldwin High School. Trustees put several questions to the community and collected the public’s answers in writing. 

The experimental take on polling community opinion centered on five questions printed on blue paper and taped to a series of tables in the high school lunchroom. The tables were draped in white paper, and pens and pencils were provided so attendees could write down their thoughts for the board’s consideration.

The format cut the meeting’s duration to such a degree that it took veteran meeting-goers more than a few minutes to understand that the session had been adjourned. Accustomed to three- and even four-hour dialogues and long lines at the microphone, attendees could hardly believe that the night’s proceedings were concluded after the writing was done.

“That’s it?” a voice called out, puzzled that she had only been allowed to write down her suggestions and that no oral commentary would be heard. “We don’t talk?”

The questions put to the community were drafted over the last several weeks. They polled Baldwin residents on to their feelings about communication strategies, public fundraising and the district’s overall role in education. (For the complete questions, as well as sample answers, see below.)

The most important question was about the budget for the 2014-15 school year. This query was the subject of public discussion at a school board work session on Oct. 16, and the district hopes the answers will help it gauge community receptiveness to a spending plan that exceeds the New York state tax cap for 2014-15.