Time to Consolidate Long Island Districts (Brookhaven, Smithtown: rentals, tenant, public school)

[etaoin]

I agree--test consolidation on a smaller scale. Why, for example, are Northport, Harborfields, Half Hollow Hills and Elwood all separate districts? Huntington and South Huntington?

[PizzaPedro]

Originally Posted by etaoin

I agree--test consolidation on a smaller scale. Why, for example, are Northport, Harborfields, Half Hollow Hills and Elwood all separate districts? Huntington and South Huntington?

Because people that bought houses in some of these districts paid a premium to be in that district and not one of the others. I paid at least $100,000 more than I would have for the same house a half mile away because I wanted to be the district I'm in.

If there is a way to make the "worse" school districts better, I'm all for it. But in the meantime don't screw with the good school districts. A move like this would be the beginning of the end for Long Island.

[nbres]

If there is a way to make the "worse" school districts better, I'm all for it. But in the meantime don't screw with the good school districts. A move like this would be the beginning of the end for Long Island.

Hate to burst your bubble, but it is already the beginning of the end for Long Island. Time to adapt to the changing circumstances now while we are in a position of some relative strength.

Change is on its way. The question is do we have a part in managing the change or do we let change manage us.

[ClarkStreetKid]

Long Island has been at the beginning of the end since at least the late 70's. It's like a sci-fi story where things keep getting worse but somehow never change.

[ClarkStreetKid]

At least county taxes will be lower...
Spitzer's preschool plan could cause rifts in LI -- Newsday.com

[fopt65]

Originally Posted by nbres

Hate to burst your bubble, but it is already the beginning of the end for Long Island. Time to adapt to the changing circumstances now while we are in a position of some relative strength.

Change is on its way. The question is do we have a part in managing the change or do we let change manage us.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. What position of strength are we in now that will allow us to tolerate change better?

[TristansMommy]

Originally Posted by ClarkStreetKid

At least county taxes will be lower...
Spitzer's preschool plan could cause rifts in LI -- Newsday.com

I skimmed it.. but it sounds to me that while hte county portion of our taxes may be decreased our school taxes, which account for 65% of our bill, will end up going up?

Am I missing something.. how does this help taxpayers then? Unless I have it wrong.

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by nbres

Hate to burst your bubble, but it is already the beginning of the end for Long Island. Time to adapt to the changing circumstances now while we are in a position of some relative strength.

What are some facts to back up what you are saying? Sounds more like your opinion to me.

[nbres]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. What position of strength are we in now that will allow us to tolerate change better?

fopt65

What are some facts to back up what you are saying? Sounds more like your opinion to me.
Glad2BHere

Alright I'll Respond.

1. The fact is is that the financial buden of school property taxes are hurting many Long Islanders. How can you expect retirees, young couples, the working class and now even the middle class to afford to pay our very high property taxes. At some point there might be a tax revolt, mass voting against budgets, or something worse that we have can not forsee - perhaps a deep recession that really pushes many Long Islanders into economic hardship. Then there will be a call to do something. Often when change is forced because of circumstances like economic hardship then we may act rashly without having the time to think it through.

2. A demographic tidal wave of change is coming. It is already transforming Nasau County and will be on its way to Suffolk County next. What most Long Islanders have against consolidation on this board is the fact that they fear the quality of their schools will decrease. This is Long Island speak for "I don't want those black and hispanic kids in the same school with my kids." Don't try to evade it - race is a concern. I understand. However, the fact is that in Nassau County Whites are declining everywhere (also in Suffolk). Whites in Nassau presently make up only 69% of the overall population. The percentage of White school age children is even less, maybe only 60% of all school age kids in Nassau are white, maybe less. There are a little over 60 school districts in Nassau and of those a third or more are already minority majority. Another third have minority enrollments of greater than 25%, and increasing every year. There are only a handful of districts in Nassau that are still 90% White. So the trends are obvious.

3. Well what does it mean for Nasssau. First of all minority demographic strength will eventually be translated into political strength. This means the Democrats who already in power in Nassau will solidify their strength. This political strength will then be used to bring change and one change I think that would be pushed will be school consolidation. My second point relates to what I stated above about what White Long Islanders fear will become moot. This is because the new minorities will not feel the need to exclude others as much as Whites typically do - they will not fear consolidation, but will advocate for it and welcome it.

4. What is happening in Nassau is a foreshawowing of things to come to Suffolk. Today Suffolk is maybe 74% white and the white school age population is probably only 65%. Same trends. In Suffolk we are about a decade behind Nassau.

5. My proposal. Lets start designing a better school system that is equitable and just now. The longer we wait the harder it will be to design a just system. I think those that fear change will be better off in the long run in which a competant system is designed. the alternatives in the future could be far less agreeable.

A new school system should be based on three principles.

A. Justice: Consolidate the many school districts into county wide school districts. Every kid should have access to a quality education and it shouldn't depend on the wealth of that kids parents and where they happen to live.

B. Equity: Fund the system through a progressive Income Tax and eliminate the regressive school property tax.

C. Choice: Allow vouchers so parents can chose alternatives to the county wide public school system. But students would have greater choice within a consolidated school system also. The system should meet the needs of the students.

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by nbres

2. A demographic tidal wave of change is coming. It is already transforming Nasau County and will be on its way to Suffolk County next. What most Long Islanders have against consolidation on this board is the fact that they fear the quality of their schools will decrease. This is Long Island speak for "I don't want those black and hispanic kids in the same school with my kids." Don't try to evade it - race is a concern. I understand. However, the fact is that in Nassau County Whites are declining everywhere (also in Suffolk). Whites in Nassau presently make up only 69% of the overall population. The percentage of White school age children is even less, maybe only 60% of all school age kids in Nassau are white, maybe less. There are a little over 60 school districts in Nassau and of those a third or more are already minority majority. Another third have minority enrollments of greater than 25%, and increasing every year. There are only a handful of districts in Nassau that are still 90% White. So the trends are obvious.

.

You also said there are "Spanish" people moving to Smithtown, which could not be the furthest thing from the truth. Not every town is changing nor will every town change. A bunch of select towns always have been and always will be more inclined than others. I suspect that in your town this change is happening, so you believe/want others to believe we are in the same boat as yourself.

People DO pay the taxes. People DO still buy the homes. Prices still climb up (sure a bit stagnant now but that is everywhere, not just LI and in fact, our market is still hotter than most places). I don't see that equating to more "minorities" being able to afford to buy homes, pay taxes and live here. If whites are struggling, how do you propose that minorities will keep increasing in Nassau and then Suffolk?