    
doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 189
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 8:43 am: | 
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In another thread on this board, there is considerable discussion about Pilots and their relationship to school taxes. One arguement against Pilots is that by using Pilots, the Village can spend based on the additional tax revenue it receives, and hopefully keep the municipal tax increases down. However, since the Pilot is not participating in the school taxes paid by other South Orange taxpayers, any school tax increases are felt more and more by S.O. taxpayers. It has been pointed out that in the past, the S.O. members of the Board of School Estimate have basically told the Board of Education that whatever the BOE wanted to put in a Special Question would be approved by the S.O. members of the Board of School Estimate. Thus, if a Pilot is used, the Village gets additional tax revenue which it will spend up to, and any Special Questions automatically get approved by the S.O. members of the Board of School Estimate - basically a double whammy.
Setting the Pilot situation aside, there was considerable discussion this year about whether S.O's members acted responsibly. Not so much about what was finally approved, but the reckless manner in which it was handled. Instead of just layering on Special Question after Special Question,the basic budget should have been reexamined. There was also discussion during Village election debates about the relationship between the S.O Board of Trustees and the Board of Education.
As a suggestion to the South Orange members of the BSE, please get more involved with the school budget process rather than just having one or two workshops, and then being lobbied by a group of parents to pass a special question. If you can't attend the actual BOE meetings when the budget is discussed, at least look at the replay on SOMA cable. It is very important to listen to the debate that goes on between the Board members.If you already do this, very good. If you don't, then please get more involved so that you can make an informed decision. |
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