To the editor:
At the last meeting of the Seaford High School/Middle School PTSA, the membership present took a vote in support of the . As officers of the PTSA, we were witness to the unfortunate cuts that have adversely affected the students of our district. While the proposed budget does not restore programs that were cut, it does take essential steps toward rebuilding our schools and preserving its programs.
In addition, the budget includes a much-needed five-year plan which will update the district’s technology, thereby affording our students the opportunity to compete with other students both nationally and globally.
A failed budget would result in devastating cuts adversely affecting our property values, but more importantly, the quality of our children’s education would be at risk. The Seaford Board of Education has proposed a budget with a tax levy of 2.5 percent, which is below the New York State allowable limit of 2.93 percent. This is a fair budget in that it takes steps toward restoring the quality education our children deserve,while taking into consideration the financial strain the economy has placed upon the citizens of Seaford.
For detailed information on the budget, please consider attending the town hall meeting presented by the administration and school board members in the meeting room of the this Monday from 7-9 p.m.
The school budget vote is on Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the and the . We urge you to become an informed citizen and cast your vote on Tuesday, May 15.
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Mary Ann Gorman and Coleen Graziose
Seaford High School/Middle School PTSA Co-Presidents
By DECREASING the tech budget to keep one season of MS sports they have done exactly what you are saying& what they WANT people to say: If you don t vote for it we lose tech.. MY viewpoint a YES vote will ONCE again be supporting the priority of other things over EDUCATION. If you remember I stated in other POSTs that the number IS doable it is how it is constructed.Even if the # was 2.9 but they stated they reviewed options ,decided to eliminate ALL MS sports, CUT the AD position, reassigning the work to the Coaches & a Clrk,(as is done in other districts) They would charge 4 band camp, they would Charge SCOPE , they would implement the FULL technology propsal, replenish the fund balance , negotiate o% increases on contracts currently under negotiation& increase benefit contributions,focus on providing students with sat/act prep courses in school, trim down the # of electives that have under a certain # of students , possibly substituting with an expanded after school "club" offering if students were still interested. Trim the number of school sponsored field trips to be replaced with Student PAY Field trips which would be subsidized by fund raising if needed. Firing the IT dir.& replace with an IT mngr @ a lower cost w/ more experience/qualifications i could whole heartedly agree this district was on the right path to refocusing priorities & I would support it.
Are you really a teacher...in NYC...public schools? Your describing class sizes of 25-28 in a 96.6% white, middle-class, suburban Long Island school district...is that by way of "devastation", or "suffering children"? http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code/11783/zip-code-11783-2010-census.asp
Excellent news on passing your budget...congratulations, Seaford!
My cites about case law are from the 1970s with Buffalo and Yonkers, and I was correct but the case law used was how no city district requires busing under the law. Also yes when contingency budgets now with the new law that freezes spending could eventually run into the situations where all that is left are contracts to cuts spending cannot be increased, personnel contracts overryle the value of transportation. This is not about class sizes which I did not say was the reason. Personnel are the essential part of the budget, nothing to do with transportation or class sizes, but contract law value of essential members of district. Also you claim a lot of knowledge and demand sources. I explained myself and also cited the State regents. Please if you constantly claim to know cite your sources b.c arrogance and sarcasm clearly does not make you right.
Just as defeating the Seaford budget would not have solved the underlying financial problems, neither has passing your budget actually "fixed" anything. Yes, you can take a few days now to relish your budget victory. But then you need to get over your euphoria and get to work on the real fiscal and financial issues in Seaford, or, you will be right back in the soup next year, staring disaster in the face once again.
My negative rantings had a purpose - to get people to THINK about what is important to them, I have ALWAYS stated that. Vote on Whats important to you , vote for whats best for you and your family". While i stated i didnt think this budget was the best and why. , I NEVER told people HOW to vote. This was never personal, it was about getting people to THINK, be focused , be vocal and vigilant. Hopefully Seaford realizes there is still ALOT of work to be done and that if we concentrate on quality education working together for all students we can take all the good things people love about Seaford and make it even better. You have to know what the problems are so you can find the solutions .. I pointed out what i think is wrong, hopefully you will understand that and we ALL can work together to provide solutions that put these kids back at the head of the class..But Mo there is still ALOT of work to be done to accomplish that.. Can we agree on that atleast? Congrats ! ljd