[Originally transmitted to Elwood Community Network on 7/9]
In checking the website of the Elwood School District, this afternoon, I noticed that the latest posting is that of the statement made at last Tuesday's BOE meeting.
For your convenience I have pasted the item below, but you can also access it from the "Headlines" section of the Home Page, STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENTED AT THE REORGANIZATION MEETING JULY 5TH, 2011.
I find myself in particular agreement with the following part, in the fourth paragraph, of that statement:
"Unfortunately, as many of you know, local boards of education do not have much say in the majority of their budget expenditures. Laws that foster entitlements, Last In First Out legislation over merit, one-sided bargaining rules, and the growth of state legislated mandated expenses, in combination with the reduction of state aid, are crippling our ability to provide the full breadth of education that all children deserve."
Of course, if I had been asked to write a statement for the Board, I would have added a sentence to their second paragraph, to very specifically address the missing elephant from the room of those staff members who really cared. But, I tend to be more candid than most people, and less solicitous of those who understand much more about taking than giving.
The Board's statement goes on to address the fiscal challenges which the Board, and the District, and the students, residents and taxpayers, and many staff members, all faced head-on in April and May of this year, and begins steps in an effort to address the problems which all school districts face in New York.
It is certainly worth your review, and consideration.
Jerry Hannon
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STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENTED AT THE REORGANIZATION MEETING JULY 5TH, 2011
Dear Community Members,
The Board of Education is very happy that the budget passed, and we thank you all for the support.
We, personally, and as a Board, want to thank those members of our staff who responded to the Board of Education’s request to follow the lead of our Superintendent and Central Office Administrators to cut increases or freeze compensation in the upcoming year - a sincere thank you to all.
The Board of Education put forward this budget, although we did so with great concern. The Board recognizes that 7.98% increases are not sustainable.
Unfortunately, as many of you know, local boards of education do not have much say in the majority of their budget expenditures. Laws that foster entitlements, Last In First Out legislation over merit, one-sided bargaining rules, and the growth of state legislated mandated expenses, in combination with the reduction of state aid, are crippling our ability to provide the full breadth of education that all children deserve. This is something that must change. We will not and cannot wait until December or January to see the cards we have been dealt by Albany and hope that we can deliver a reasonably low percentage [tax levy] increase next year.
We need to pressure Albany and our local legislators that represent us in Albany now to legislate structural changes that will improve education, not diminish it, while helping us lower expenses and find revenues from sources outside of the tax base. We must rise up as a community and demand progressive thinking and action in NY State that is long overdue. Moreover, we must keep that pressure applied until we accomplish our goals.
Please join us in letting our local representatives from Albany know how we feel. We are in the process of organizing an interested group that will work parallel to official BOE efforts for those who wish to make the voice of Elwood heard. This organization will be formed and operated outside of our Board of Education umbrella, although Board members, as well as former Board members, will be engaged as personal volunteers in this movement.
Nikki Crowley and Melissa Maher will be gathering names, phone numbers, and email addresses after the meeting from anyone who would like to join this organized effort.
In May 2011, a proud Elwood community stood up and displayed a tremendous commitment to the education of children with a generosity that defines our character. Simply put, we took care of our children; however, we did not take care of our problems. The Board of Education, together with the support of our community, is willing and ready to fight the fight against those who threaten our mission; that is our children’s opportunity to have a competitive, well-rounded education.
We must take action and tell Albany how we feel and more importantly, tell them what we need. We will not stand by… We do not want to raise taxes while diminishing education. Please join the effort.
Thank you,
Joseph Fusaro, President
Members of Elwood Union Free School District’s Board of Education
About Me
- Jerry Hannon
- After a thirty year career at Chase, serving as a Managing Director and Global Relationship Manager, I took early retirement in the summer of 2000, and that enabled me to become active in community, school district, and town activities. Since 2004, I have been a member of the Elwood School District's Citizens Finance/Budget Advisory Committee, and since 2005 I have been a member of its Audit Committee, and serve on three other committees of the district. During the 2006/07 school year I was President of the Elwood PTA Council, and I remain active in PTA activities. In the community I serve as EVP for Community Affairs of the Old Chester Hills Civic Association, and served the Town of Huntington as a member of its Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. For thirty five years, I have been a Director of the NY Council of the Navy League, and currently am Chair of its Audit Committee. A Vietnam Veteran, I retired as a Commander in the US Navy Reserve, and previously commanded two Naval Security Group reserve units.