School News

Veterans exemption vote set in Seaford

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Nearly 600 Seaford veterans would see a reduction in their school taxes if the Board of Education approves a partial school tax exemption at its next meeting on Dec. 4.

Seaford’s assistant superintendent of business, Elisa Pellati, said that while the exemption would be of no cost to the district, that cost would shift to residents. In a presentation to the school board at its Nov. 20 meeting, Pellati said that the average homeowner could see his or her taxes increase by $46.54 per year.

In December 2013, New York state amended the real property tax law to allow school districts to offer a property tax exemption previously provided to veterans only by the county, town and villages. In February, the school board decided to table the matter and added a non-binding resolution to the May school budget ballot. Nearly three-quarters of voters were in favor of a resolution to offer veterans the property tax exemption.

In order to qualify for the exemption, veterans must have served during a designated conflict — World War II, Korea, Vietnam or the Persian Gulf war — or be a Gold Star parent. Non-combat veterans would see a 15 percent reduction in the assessed value of their homes, up to $12,000 in market value, while combat veterans would see a 25 percent reduction, up to $20,000 in market value, and disabled veterans would see a 65 percent reduction, up to $60,000 in market value.

Pellati said that there were 325 non-combat veterans, 219 combat veterans, 35 disabled veterans and one Gold Star parent living in the district who would quality for the exemption.

The school board will vote on the matter in four separate resolutions, separately addressing the exemption for Class I properties (homes) and Class II properties (condominiums or co-ops). The approval of a third resolution would allow the transfer of the eligibility for the benefit in the event of a veteran’s death, and the fourth would offer the exemption to Gold Star parents.

Ralph Scinta, a veteran, urged the board to approve the exemption. “I moved here in 1936 from Massapequa, and have been here ever since,” Scinta said. “I served in the Navy and Merchant Marines and I had a business in town. The taxes are killing me, and it’s very difficult. This would be very helpful.”

Charles Wroblewski, chaplain for the Seaford American Legion, also spoke in favor of the resolution. “The taxes are high,” Wroblewski said, adding that he has lived in Seaford since 1948. “In the Seaford American Legion, there are only two veterans who have children in the schools. You put this up for a vote and it was a pro-vote, just like the vote for Seaford Avenue School. Let’s vote for this.”