Support the Oceanside budget, re-elect Maresca, McGrath-Mulhern, Scheoll

The Oceanside School District’s proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year — $131.1 million, a 1.98 percent increase over the current budget — deserves the support of the community.

It’s understandably difficult to vote for something that will raise your taxes. Under this budget proposal, the tax levy — the total amount the district plans to raise through taxes — would increase by about $4.1 million, from $104.6 million to $108.7 million. But district officials have put together a fiscally responsible spending plan, making sure to keep the community in mind and making cuts wherever possible.

The district offered a retirement incentive for eligible teachers, and more than 20 teachers have signed on, which will save taxpayers millions of dollars next year. The Oceanside Federation of Teachers also agreed to reduce its members’ contractual raises to 1 percent, saving taxpayers even more.

Schools and many other municipalities were faced with increased expenses while planning their budgets. Some are costs we all face — the rising prices of food and fuel affect everyone, and are unavoidable. But schools face additional expenses, such as increasing contributions to the employees’ and teachers’ retirement systems — unavoidable, mandated costs.

This is a lean budget, befitting the difficult economic times, and we encourage residents to vote “yes” on it on Tuesday.

Although the district’s Board of Education races are uncontested this year, the Herald urges voters to show them their support at the polls. Donald Maresca, Mary Jane McGrath-Mulhern and Sandie Schoell all bring a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge to the board. Maresca has served for nine years, Schoell for six and McGrath-Mulhern for three, and the fact that all three want to serve another three-year term shows how dedicated they are to the taxpayers and students of Oceanside.

All three have served the board — and the district — admirably, and this is our chance to make our approval known.