Board Letter to Governor Pataki
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Board Letter to Governor Pataki |
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The Honorable George E.
Pataki Dear Honorable Pataki: We are writing to share our concerns about the budget outlook facing the Commack School District and to ask for your help and leadership in resolving this crisis. Your proposed budget would cut state aid to our school district by $1,800,000, or 8.8%. While there is never a good time to make such cuts, they could not come at a worse time: Ø Our enrollment continues to increase. We expect to see 261 more students next year, an enrollment increase of 3.6%. Ø A failing stock market has caused ERS and TRS rates to skyrocket, increasing by 500% and 600%, respectively. These two items alone account for an increase in the 2003-04 budget of almost $2,000,000. Ø Medical insurance rates continue to increase at double digit rates, adding an estimated $750,000 to next year’s budget. Ø With fuel rates continuing to increase, we expect to pay substantially more next year for electricity, gas, and heating fuel. Ø At a time when Commack is successfully trying to increase both standards and graduation rates, cuts in state aid threaten the integrity of the instructional program. While some of these effects will be felt immediately, others will be felt years from now, as students who fall behind in earlier grades struggle to regain lost ground. Ø A 1.92% cap on spending increases will result in a cut of at least $2,400,000 in the proposed budget. This will require the loss of as many as 30 teaching positions, resulting in larger class sizes, elimination of several instructional programs, and further erosion of the educational infrastructure. Ø Commack already spends well below the median for similar districts, and is the second lowest spending district in Huntington and Smithtown. Yet, Commack’s tax rates are at or above the median. Ø A loss of almost $2,000,000 in state aid translates to an estimated $140 increase in local property taxes for the average homeowner in Commack. Ø Even under an austerity budget, tax rates in Commack could rise by as much as 10.89%, depending upon changes in assessed value and STAR received. Even in good times, when state aid was rising, timeliness of the State budget caused problems. In this uncertain economic environment, it is even more important for us to have a timely State budget, with state aid figures that we can rely upon. School districts in New York State have had to “guess” at state aid for more than 18 years, not knowing when budgets were adopted whether state aid estimates were accurate. While we recognize that we must share the pain – a pain certainly not caused by the children of New York State – we contest the fact that much of the shortfall falls upon the shoulders of the children of this great state. Certainly, moving an additional $250 to the property tax bill of each homeowner in Commack and other communities in New York State does not constitute tax relief. Instead, it represents a shifting of the tax burden to the local level. That is sure to result in more local budget defeats at a time when we can least afford it. Consequently, we seek your assistance in the following: Ø Restore state aid to current year levels. Ø Relief from the antiquated Wicks Law that only increases costs to local school districts yet does not insure better construction. Ø Relief from the imposition of school budget caps on items entirely out of the control of school districts. In particular, increases in retirement system and medical insurance rates alone exceed the 1.92% permitted under a contingency budget. Ø A requirement that every bill passed by the legislature includes an estimate of the cost to all municipalities, not just the State. Once legislators become aware of the potential cost of a bill to their constituents, they may be less anxious to pass legislation that unwittingly costs us millions of dollars. Ø A two-year aid bill that provides school districts notice of aid at least one year in advance. This would permit districts to adequately plan for reductions in state aid and provide an opportunity for the legislature to act for the future. Ø A regional cost adjustment to account for higher costs in downstate districts, where cost-of-living is 50% higher than the rest of the state. The state department of labor provides wage rates by area, and they are substantially higher on Long Island than in other areas of that state. The Board of Regents recognizes this fact in their September 2000 report: (http://www.oms.nysed.gov/). It is only fitting that state aid recognize this fact too. We understand that your job is difficult. We elected you because we believe not only in the democratic process, but have faith that our elected representatives are up to the task. Your leadership now will help to forestall what may be huge cuts in staffing levels throughout New York State. Let’s not put people on the unemployment line, and let’s instead continue to provide the education to our children that is so necessary in today’s world. Very truly yours, MaryJo Masciello William Caulfield Joseph Pennacchio Larry Shulman Thomas L. Torneé
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You can help by making our voice heard through letters to Governor Pataki and legislators. There is a sample letter sponsored by our PTA that you can download from the Commack Website. |
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posted 3/17/03 |