Chris’s Picks - School Budgets & Propositions

Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely the opinion of the writer based on my fair assessment of the issues in contention for approval or election on May 17th.

Budgets

I support passage of both the Seaford and the Wantagh School District’s budgets.   

They are far from perfect, and each contains some items or cuts that anyone could find objectionable.  In other words, these budgets contain (or do not contain) something for everyone not to like.  But failing either of these budgets will solve exactly zero problems, restore exactly zero programs or jobs, and reduce your long-term school taxes by precisely zero dollars.

Seaford's School Budget Brochure

Wantagh's School Budget Brochure

If you don’t like your district’s budget, then may I recommend that you hold your nose when you enter the voting booth and vote “yes” anyway? 

The budget in each district is Proposition One.

Additional Propositions

Wantagh: None

Seaford:

Proposition Two: Roadway Construction

This roadway may very well be needed and may provide benefits as described by the district and supporters in the media.  However, it fails the test (in my opinion) of the constitutionally required “sound basic education” which taxpayers are bound to support with their property taxes.  A nearly $600,000 driveway project does not contribute to the sound, basic education of Seaford’s children, and, in fact, the debt service to pay for this new driveway would detract from Seaford’s sound, basic education endeavors far into the future. 

If a roadway really and truly needs and deserves to be built in Seaford, then call either the town or the county highway departments and see if they will fund $600,000 in this economy.  Building roads, that is a public works project, not a school district project. 

How many teachers is Seaford laying-off?  Building this driveway would be the equivalent
of an additional six teacher layoffs (salaries + benefits).

I endorse voting “NO” on Seaford Proposition Two.

Proposition Three: Liberalizing Student Transportation Eligibility

Spending an additional $131,000 so that more kids can take the bus to school instead of walking, in this economy? ...in this age of childhood obesity? …can the sponsors of this proposition be serious? 

Using the equivalency test, here is the potential of another 1-2 teacher layoffs, which could very well result in 2012-13 if this seemingly selfish proposition passes.

I endorse voting “NO” on Seaford Proposition Three.

In my next blog I will endorse my picks for school board in Seaford and in Wantagh.