NOTE: As with most Internet polls, this poll is not balanced against a weighted sample. There is no statistical accuracy relating to any specific demographic of poll takers. Anyone can take this poll and the Northender collects no data about the respondents.
Dear LI Section Editor,
Below is a copy of my recent letter to editors of the Oyster Bay Guardian and the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot as well as a copy of the NJ SCI Press Release. A very relevant quote from the NJ press release to your "School Practice..." article is the following:
These abuses, the report concludes, are rooted in "a system that seems designed to pit school districts against each other in a 'sky's the limit' contest to recruit and retain top administrators. All too often, the result is an unseemly spectacle reminiscent of sports teams and their competition for free-agent athletes - with the cost underwritten by taxpayers."
Long Island can certainly identify with the investigation and findings of our neighbors across the Hudson - the ever-increasing tax burden has to stop somewhere. The Oyster Bay-East Norwich school budget has essentially quadrupled since 1982 ($11.5 million in 1982 to $40.0 million in 2005) More restraint, re-negotiation and common sense has to prevail. Reviewing the NJ SCI press release and the full report can be very enlightening for Long Island taxpayers. Please do so at:
TAXPAYERS BEWARE: What You Don't Know Can Cost You - Public School Administrators Report http://www.state.nj.us/sci/newindex.shtm
Sincerely,
Anita MacDougall
Oyster Bay, NY
LETTER:
What Do OBEN School Taxes Pay For?
Local taxpayers should be interested in the Wall Street Journal's
3/21/06 editorial highlight titled "Jersey School Scam" covering a two-year investigation of NJ school districts by NJ's State Commission of Investigation that found: "... a pattern of "questionable and excessive" practices that included boosting salaries and padding pensions surreptitiously and in ways that have cost unsuspecting taxpayers millions of dollars ." Does this issue also apply to NYS? And to Oyster Bay-East Norwich?
Looking at some of the report's recommendations, it would benefit all taxpayers if we had "greater transparency and more effective regular public disclosure by local boards of education with regard to the scope and cost of employee compensation." The taxpayers are entitled to know the details in simple English without the usual smokescreens. What are the employees contributing to the burgeoning health care cost? When will re-negotiation of this contribution occur? In the greater world, if GM can renegotiate with the UAW - the OBEN school board can renegotiate with the teachers' and the administrators' unions also. It is time to do this now.
I suggest all taxpayers to look at the press release and report:
TAXPAYERS BEWARE: What You Don't Know Can Cost You - Public School Administrators Report http://www.state.nj.us/sci/newindex.shtm
Let us learn some lessons from our neighbors across the Hudson.
Taxpayers are being unfairly drained by the ever-rising school tax burden.
Reducing the school tax burden is a VERY HIGH priority. This year we are experiencing a double-whammy with the new bond and whatever increased tax rate will result from the budget vote on May 16.
Anita MacDougall
Oyster Bay
PS Does the average taxpayer realize that a 5% tax increase every year will double the tax burden in 15 years? Higher rates will double the tax burden sooner.
Reported in the 3/21/06 WSJ:
TAXPAYERS BEWARE: What You Don't Know Can Cost You - Public School Administrators Report http://www.state.nj.us/sci/newindex.shtm
and the press release
