East Meadow officials have called for a nearly 10-percent increase in property taxes at the same time that they propose laying off 55 to 60 teachers.
That's a double whammy that many district residents say they're unwilling to accept. Hundreds of parents flooded recent budget hearings convened by Superintendent Dr. Robert Dillon and the East Meadow Board of Education. Such hearings usually draw a handful of concerned citizens. The enormous turnout of angry residents should serve as sign to the superintendent and school board that their 2002-2003 spending plan for the district is unacceptable.
The superintendent, board and Assistant Superintendent for Business Leon Campo, however, stubbornly insist there's nothing else they can do to trim the budget. They say the state isn't providing enough education aid in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They also say they're not alone; that other school districts are having to make the same tough choices.
A Herald survey of 12 South Shore districts -- almost a quarter of Nassau County's 54 school systems -- asked officials this week whether cutting teachers was a choice they had made in developing their budgets this year.
Not one district cut a single teacher. In fact, in certain cases, districts added instructional staff.
East Meadow officials say the percentages by which the other districts are raising taxes run into the double digits. East Meadow , though, has nearly reached the double digits. Its taxes are projected to rise 9.65 percent. And all of the other districts' tax hikes fell within one or two points of East Meadow's.
East Meadow officials also say the district's classes at the elementary level are smaller than most other districts, meaning teachers can be laid off and class sizes will remain within "board of education guidelines." At the kindergarten level, class sizes are the second smallest in the county, and in grades one through five, they're the seventh smallest.
Fair enough.
The cuts in teaching personnel, however, will not allow the district to maintain such class sizes. At the same time, East Meadow officials say additional reductions might be in store next year. How big will class sizes become then? Likely too big.
Furthermore, there are lingering questions surrounding this budget that the board and superintendent have not adequately answered.
For one, why is the East Meadow district taking back the Salisbury Center after having rented it to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for 26 years? The district will lose $500,000 in rent annually in doing so. A half-million dollars pays several teachers' salaries, anywhere from five to 10, in fact.
The superintendent says BOCES plans to move out of the center. BOCES officials say that's untrue. They're willing to sign a long-term lease on the building.
East Meadow officials say they need the center to accommodate a growing student population and the central administration. Wouldn't it be better to add classrooms onto existing schools? The state would reimburse at least part of the cost through building aid.
Additionally, East Meadow officials admit they don't need the entire Salisbury Center. Part of it will go unused. So, why take it back?
Second, why is the East Meadow district paying six elementary principals when it has only five elementary schools? Officials haven't provided a sound explanation. Frankly, it makes no sense. Administrators are needed, but who's educating the children? Teachers. There should be more than enough instructional, not administrative staff.
East Meadow officials have said that, if this budget is shot down, they'll return with the same spending plan for a contingency vote, only they'll remove monies for student supplies. Such a threat is plain wrong.
District officials should be willing to listen to residents and truly hear their concerns. They should develop plans to save teachers, not administrative salaries. If the budget is defeated, there's nothing preventing them from re-examining the spending plan and refiguring the numbers.
The Herald urges residents to vote no to East Meadow's school budget on Tuesday, May 21. Then, let us hope the central administration returns with a spending plan that responds to parents' concerns, for the sake of the children.
