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The 2% Tax Cap
by Michelle Yorio

 

Dear KPS Families,

We are all aware that our country, our state and our community have been suffering from the economic crisis.  We are a community of hard working and caring people.  For years I have been a part of this KPS community.  I have seen the time, effort, and dedication our Board of Education has given to help our schools to maintain strong academic success.  In late winter, I see the number of seats filled increase at Board of Ed meetings.  People start getting worried about a tax increase and what will be cut from their child’s school. Will we lose our favorite teacher?  Will we lose a special? What about sports programs? 

 This year we need to see those seats filled now.  Last year was a very tough budget process.  I watched as students past and present, teachers and staff, parents and community members stood up for what they felt was right.  What should be cut? A job position, a salary, or a program?  What should be changed?  Is Arts in Education more important than Sports?  Is Sports more important?  The balancing act that our district officers need to perform is a tough one.  How do you decide?

 Well, part of the decision has been made for us.  It is financial.  Just like in your own household there is only a certain amount of money to run it.  Like it or not we all have bills that won’t change.  We then have to look at the “extras”.  In the world of education what is an “extra”?  Where do you come up with the money needed to keep what we have going and improve upon it? 

Falling home values and rising taxes in a school district that has a very limited commercial tax base means that homeowners shoulder the burden. Every time the school district puts forth a budget, taxes go up. Some say it's time for that to stop. True enough, but let's be sure to look at this realistically.

New York State has a new law:  The 2% Tax Cap.  (I do hope you will take the time to read the email describing the details.  You can also find Eric Stark’s presentations on the front page of the district website.) With this tax cap we will be VERY limited in our resources going into the 2012-13 school year.  We, the Carmel Central School District, have those fixed bills I mentioned.  Many of them come in the form of Unfunded State Mandates.  This means that if NY State says we have to buy all new special pencils and the cost is $200,000 - WE HAVE TO BUY THEM.  That is an unfunded mandate.  Now, I am sure some of them are not as mundane as a pencil and note that is only an example. But we still have to buy the pencils!  This takes money away from programs like art and modified sports and staffing.  It takes money away from us being able to upgrade programming and technology.  It affects our ability to improve common spaces such as locker rooms and bleachers. 

 Without a doubt, we are lucky that our BOE and District Office are proactive in the upkeep of our campuses.  But things break and age and eventually need to be fixed and replaced. 

 What we need is to hear more about these mandates that are sucking the resources from our children’s education.  You elect your public officials.  You pay their salary.  Don’t you think they should get to work for you easing the burdens that have been put upon us? 

 Now I ask you… what can you do with $780,790??  That is what NY State had decreased our aid by just this school year.  In the past few years aid has decreased over 12% - over $3 million dollars.  Next year we stand to lose more aid.  Is that fair?  Do you think that money would have been able to fund the items that we have had to cut?  The staff we have been forced to lose?  The upgrades I mentioned? Just imagine what the blueprint of our budget would have looked like these past years without those red numbers!

 I urge you to pay attention to this issue.  It is an important one.  The first step is - get the facts.  Here is where you get the facts:  Board of Education meetings.  They are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  See the district website for locations and dates or link from our site.  Can’t go to a meeting?  Each meeting is videotaped and available to watch on Channel 22 on Comcast. A copy is available at the local library.  Can’t get to the library?  Look for the minutes on the district website.  Important information and presentations are available to you through the CCSD site.

 Our children get one chance at their education.  It deserves to be the best we can offer them. 

Michelle Yorio is a parent of three children in the CCSD, and current co-President of the KPSPTO

 

 
 
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