First Wantagh BAC Meeting Addresses Public Concerns for 2011-12 Budget

The first meeting of Wantagh's Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), held on Nov. 18 at , addressed the concerns of the public on the 2011-12 proposed budgets. The BAC works as an extension of the Board of Education and the committee works on finding ways to improve the proposed budgets for the school year.

"This year's budget is going to be tough," said William Russack, vice president of the Board of Education, who addressed the crowd at the inaugural meeting. "We are already in a negative situation before the budget is even formed. We want to create a budget that is fair and equitable for everyone. The real issue here is that we have real numbers that are going to present real problems."

Dana DiCapua, Assistant Superintendent for Business, gave those present a realistic view of the future budgets, telling the crowd that the state actually pulled aid from the district last year, but that debt service offset the loss. In future years, the district might not be able to offset the loss and that she is not expecting any more aid from the state than last year's amount. Another concern DiCapua emphasized is the loss of the country guarantee starting with the 2013-14 school year.

In order to be more fiscally responsible, Russack told attendees that the Board of Education plans to stop using paper and to make sure everything is online beforehand to cut down on cost as well as waste. Russack also said the board  would also be more cognizant of how long the meetings go because there is an extra fee for the room if they meetings go past 10 p.m. He added that the board would be more open with the budget process for the 2011-12 school year.

Russack fielded questions and suggestions from the crowd regarding everything from corporate sponsorships to budget presentations. Russack aalso agreed to try to get state and county elected officials to come to future BAC meetings.

One of the big concerns stressed by BAC members was the fact that people not on the committee feel blindsided when programs get cut or class sizes go up because the budget doesn't pass. Russack explained that those present should write letters to the local newspapers, as well as talk to those around them about the budget and the importance of it.

"Use the local press, write letters," he said. "Get the word out earlier on the web, in the press and in your own communities," Russack added.

For further information on the Wantagh BAC log onto the organization's website.