Anyone able to share some school budget results? (Levittown, Plainview: school district, universities)

[scottzilla]

Originally Posted by azzurrony

I think the point everyone is missing is obvious.

Why do we have to cut programs such as after school childcare and continuing education, etc. when we all pay 14,000-30,000 a year in property taxes? It's because the system is broken and too many of our tax dollars are going to bankroll the salary and benefits of teachers and administrators. Because of this, it is the kids that will suffer. Until we stand up to those unions, nothing will change.

My hats off to Herricks for following our lead.

All we do is pay taxes for gov't programs and services that disappear. Why should school districts be immune?
The state and fed gov't has been running out of money for years.

[azzurrony]

The State and Fed government are economic wastelands.

[WJFM]

I am not sure per-pupil spending is the best indication of 'value' and 'efficiency'. Things like special education etc can abnormally add to per-pupil spending. But I am a little concerned if this year is not a problem, next year tax increase might affect districts like Jericho and Syosset as well.

I have a feeling people who have kids in schools will rarely vote down budgets that will eliminate after school-care, etc. Maybe the shift here is that there are now plenty of people who have no kids in school in these districts who came out and voted no.

[scottzilla]

Originally Posted by WJFM

I am not sure per-pupil spending is the best indication of 'value' and 'efficiency'. Things like special education etc can abnormally add to per-pupil spending. But I am a little concerned if this year is not a problem, next year tax increase might affect districts like Jericho and Syosset as well.

I have a feeling people who have kids in schools will rarely vote down budgets that will eliminate after school-care, etc. Maybe the shift here is that there are now plenty of people who have no kids in school in these districts who came out and voted no.

I completely agree that $$ is not the best indicator of value and efficiency. Problem is, who is willing to pay for things they can't see? I think the voter is to blame for this one.

[GPC]

Originally Posted by WJFM

Maybe the shift here is that there are now plenty of people who have no kids in school in these districts who came out and voted no.

I take lots of walks with my kids and I can tell there are alot of older, and most likely retired, people living in NHP.

[Buckthedog]

Interesting thing I noted in Lindenhurst,
The three members running for school board were all running un-opposed. When we have no choice we have no say.

[GPC]

Originally Posted by Buckthedog

Interesting thing I noted in Lindenhurst,
The three members running for school board were all running un-opposed. When we have no choice we have no say.

Ha! What a joke, huh?!!!

[twingles]

Originally Posted by azzurrony

I think the point everyone is missing is obvious.

Why do we have to cut programs such as after school childcare and continuing education, etc. when we all pay 14,000-30,000 a year in property taxes? It's because the system is broken and too many of our tax dollars are going to bankroll the salary and benefits of teachers and administrators. Because of this, it is the kids that will suffer. Until we stand up to those unions, nothing will change.

My hats off to Herricks for following our lead.

Yes, people just don't get it. In the private sector the first thing to go is personnel, perks and raises. Not for the teachers. My DS' teacher even told the class yesterday if the budget failed the teachers wouldn't get paid. Yes, putting the kids first

What I liked best was the opportunity to fill out the exit survey as I left the polling place. A lot of people apparently agreed because people were sitting with these surveys for a long time.

As azzurony pointed out, this is a contract negotiation year for the teachers. A message needed to be sent, and it was. It wasn't enough that the superintendent said "we hear you loud and clear" prior to the vote. Now he has the will of the people to fall back on.

[llama8]

Originally Posted by twingles

Yes, people just don't get it. In the private sector the first thing to go is personnel, perks and raises. Not for the teachers. My DS' teacher even told the class yesterday if the budget failed the teachers wouldn't get paid. Yes, putting the kids first

What I liked best was the opportunity to fill out the exit survey as I left the polling place. A lot of people apparently agreed because people were sitting with these surveys for a long time.

As azzurony pointed out, this is a contract negotiation year for the teachers. A message needed to be sent, and it was. It wasn't enough that the superintendent said "we hear you loud and clear" prior to the vote. Now he has the will of the people to fall back on.

The "loud and clear" message was obviously not the majority opinion in most places as very few school budgets were voted down.

[Jdawg8181]

Why the hell did Long beach pass? Don't I pay enough damn taxes?