BOE President Don Kerr's Letter to the New Paltz Times
This letter reflects my personal views and is not a statement from the New Paltz Board of Education.
The Dec. 28 edition of a local daily newspaper reported on the school district in Warwick in order to illustrate a scenario playing out in New Paltz and across our state. Predicted are: “Cost increases in health care, pensions and contractual obligations that could translate” into whopping tax increases. Add into the mix the fact that federal stimulus money to schools (which has provided a two-year cushion) ends after this year.
In the New Paltz Central School District, a ‘rollover’ budget that would continue the delivery of programs and services at this year’s level would produce a tax levy increase that our school board has rejected out of hand -- over 13%. Based on their public discussions, the board does not consider such a tax increase a serious option. At the same time, the stewards of our public schools are obligated to protect the delivery of educational programming that many refer to as the jewel of the Hudson Valley. It is a vexing situation with no simple answers.
There will be cuts, locally and throughout the state. In Warwick, discussions about closing a school building disintegrated into “parents screaming, interrupting each other, pointing fingers and alleging abuse.” We can, and must, do better than that in our discussion and decision-making.
The New Paltz Central School District is a community within a community. The course taken in response to the state financial crisis matters to all of us. Please be part of the discussion and civil debate. What level of educational services is this community able to support? What strategies will reduce cost while best preserving the educational program? What short-term actions best position us to address long-term issues with our facilities while state building aid remains generous?
The school district faces BIG challenges and your elected representatives need your input. Board of Education discussion of the budget will continue in greater detail in late January after the Governor announces his proposal for the actual level of aid to districts across the state. It is important that everyone be aware of the seriousness of the situation and the stakes of the debate.
It is said that school budgets are value statements -- reflections of the true values of a community. This budget process may determine who we are as an educational institution and how we educate our youth for years to come. Large forces are at play, statewide and nationally. Pay attention. Lend your voice. It matters for our future.
Donald Kerr
New Paltz
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