School Tax Bill!!!!!!!!!!!

[taxpayer]

I recently paid my school tax bill and sadly look forward to expressing my displeasure on the 19th. The budget debate seems so convoluted with endless (and numbing) details, conflicting opinions/charges, mindless cheerleading, winded self-serving slogans and above all a persistent lack of transparency in the process. Although it is true that Wantagh lacks a commercial tax base and fairness in State aid levels but does that justify balancing the budget on the back of the taxpayer with impunity? Individually we all prioritize daily spending decisions by assessing the differences between wants and needs reflecting today’s economic realities. I am uncertain who (or whom) in reality makes those same decisions in our school community. This confusion on my part is not from a lack of information, advisory committee pronouncements or published minutes but from my inability to discern from all of this,who is really in charge of spending priorities and why are annual budget increases are publicized as achievements! I think not but I am ignorant of budgetary procedural complexities but not in a lack of common sense. In an earlier post I asked a question about whether our school computers were as current as our sports facilities and received an answer that “Wantagh is a sports centered town”. Perhaps this is true but I hope not at the expense of other educational priorities already pressed by shrinking resources and increasing taxpayer reluctance ( and ability) to shoulder the burden.

[Chris_Wendt]

Taxpayer opined:

"Individually we all prioritize daily spending decisions by assessing the differences between wants and needs reflecting today’s economic realities. I am uncertain who...makes those same decisions in our school community. This confusion...is not from a lack of information, advisory committee pronouncements or published minutes but from my inability to discern...who is really in charge of spending priorities...."

The answer is, the Board of Education.

The best way to truly express your "displeasure" with this year's tax bill will be to vote AGAINST the President of the Board of Education, Ralph ("I'm all about spending money!") Spagnolo and replace him by voting FOR Bob Leuchtmann on the 19th.

Allowing Big-Spender Spagnolo to remain on the school board, continuing to set spending priorities and raising your taxes...would be the absolute WORST thing you could do!

In earnest,

Chris Wendt

PS - there are negative consequences from defeating the school budget, and doing so will not bring you any real or lasting 'pleasure'. Honestly, please reconsider how you will vote on the budget, and target your anger where it belongs, and where it will do you some good...against the incumbent school board president, Spagnolo, who is running to re-election.

[lilly]

May 6, 2009 21:20:43 GMT -5 taxpayer said:

In an earlier post I asked a question about whether our school computers were as current as our sports facilities and received an answer that “Wantagh is a sports centered town”.

The last major infusion of technology was 1998 through a bond. At the time, Wantagh was avant garde. The BOE has been in the process of cleaning house by getting rid of those non-operable machines. Apparently, districts cannot simply throw useless outdated things out without an ok from the BOE (something I learned this year). Besides bits & pieces here and there, or updated computer labs (through bonds I think), there has been virtually no investment in computers. Quite frankly, the lack of technology and the planning for it is an embarrassment.

This budget does include tech spending that is a 3 or 5 year payback plan that essentially puts a new computer on every teachers desk and a smattering of the technology other districts have.