We urge voters to approve this budget.
District officials are touting the proposed tax levy increase as one of the smallest in the county. No new teachers or programs are being added. And given the current economic atmosphere, with ever-changing property assessments, a shortage of state aid and mandated expenses, any new expenses would be tough on local taxpayers. We see the district¹s proposed budget as one of the best in East Meadow¹s history.
According to district officials, the spending plan enables the district to maintain its classroom sizes, academic programs, art, music, clubs and athletics. All this at a time when much of the district¹s spending is on mandated employee expenses, such as health care and pensions, not to mention ever-increasing fuel and energy costs, which are also beyond the district¹s control.
The district has begun to ask its employees to begin absorbing a greater percentage of health care costs. So far, five of the district¹s unions have agreed to pay 20 percent of their health care coverage, 5 percent more than they pay now, which will be gradually phased in over the next five years. However, once district employees retire, their contribution drops back to their original 15 percent. Such employee re-negotiations enable the district to effectively slow ever-increasing health care costs.
One of the unions that has yet to agree to the new contract is the teachers¹ union, which has been negotiating with the district for almost two years. We are confident that the two sides will eventually put their differences aside, come back to the negotiating table and do what¹s best for the community they live and work in.
Homeowners feeling the pinch may opt to vote down the proposed budget in frustration. However, some homeowners are beginning to understand that a failed budget would do more harm than good. A rejected budget would force the school district onto a contingency budget, which by state law provides for a 4 percent capped increased in the tax levy, only .9 percent less than the proposed levy.
If that happens, the district would be forced to cut nearly $2 million from its budget, which would translate into cuts in staff and support services, larger class sizes, and the reduction or elimination of academics, art, music, clubs and athletics. Once on austerity, it may take years for a district to fully recover.
³We should vote for the budget because that is what¹s best for our children and our property values,² said one parent at a recent district budget presentation. We agree.
Re-elect O¹Flaherty, Skinner
Two candidates are running unopposed for Board of Education seats. Brian O¹Flaherty is seeking a second term, and Walter Skinner looks to fill the seat left vacant by Charles Goldberg. Although they are unchallenged, both candidates still need support to continue to provide East Meadow students with the best education possible.
