Wantagh Board of Education Presses Cuomo for More State Aid

- The following letter from the Wantagh Board of Education was sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Dear Governor Cuomo:

The Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education, representing more than 6,000 homes and businesses, is urging you and Senate leadership to expedite passage of critical legislation, without which our taxpayers will see increases in school property taxes far in excess of those in comparable jurisdictions.

On Jan. 2, 2013, Nassau County residents received 2014/2015 tentative property assessment information from the Nassau County Department of Assessment. The information indicated that all amounts were based on pre- Hurricane Sandy values. Also included in the mailing was an application for taxpayers to complete requesting a reduction in property assessment for those homes and commercial properties that were partially or totally destroyed as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Wantagh is a South Shore community with a significant number of homes which sustained storm damage. While we support the expedited assessment evaluation of those homes which sustained significant damage, we are also concerned for the resultant adverse financial impact this may have upon our remaining residents. A decrease in the overall property valuation in Wantagh will cause an increase in the school tax rate for our home and business owners.

We respectfully request consideration that additional State Aid be directed to the Wantagh School District to help offset this impending expense as the negative impact of Hurricane Sandy continues to burden our already fiscally fragile community. In addition, we ask that you lobby for Federal Aid that might become available for school districts such as ours who are the most impacted by this devastating storm. In conclusion, we implore you to consider our request for additional aid to avoid inequitable tax implications for both our businesses and our residents.

Sincerely,

Wantagh Board of Education

Michael Cucci, President • Jean Quinn, Vice-President Anthony Greco, Trustee • William Russack, Trustee • Michael Soethout, Trustee

• Related: 
• Cuts to 'High Tax Aid' Hit Local School Districts Hard