tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500842922178268585.post8668057037066763229..comments2022-03-31T23:00:48.561-04:00Comments on Patriot Plain Talk: Why can the BOE raise taxes?The Plain Talkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11664037547418574434noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500842922178268585.post-67691494228916319972011-05-23T14:45:20.899-04:002011-05-23T14:45:20.899-04:00According to the data available from the New York ...According to the data available from the New York state department of education and SeeThroughNY, Broadalbin-Perth is one of the lowest cost and most efficient districts of its size in the state. You can look it up yourself (here: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/reportcard/<br />and here: http://www.seethroughny.net/BenchmarkingNY/tabid/98/Default.aspx) or I'd be willing to show you the data. (Email the board at bpboe@bpcsd.com.)<br /><br />It is false to claim that the district isn't listening. We've had round-table discussions, forums, a tax bill work shop, started this web page, employed BOCES services for better communication, and we've rejected no suggestion related to better communication with the public. We've put all details of the budget online for you to view and ask questions. We've been pleading for input from the community.<br /><br />The reasons for double-digit increases in previous years have been given in excruciating detail and they have to do with several big themes including (but not limited to):<br /> State funding of schools being tied to stock market success/failure <br /> Increasing mandates with concurrent reductions in aid<br /> Rising costs of health benefits and pensions<br /> Taylor Law limitations on the negotiating powers of boards of education<br /> B-P spent down too much of its fund balance following the merger in order to keep the tax rate artificially low <br /> The Hudson River/Black River regulating district not paying their taxes (We sued to get this money.)<br /><br />The purpose of the school is to educate students to the highest level possible while in compliance with NY state law and within the means of the taxpayers.<br /><br />The current proposed budget was prepared with all of those factors in mind. We tried to produce a budget that would get a 'yes' and failed. There are a number of reasons for this and the board will be considering the best course of action in the coming days.Ed Szumowski, Board of Education Vice Presidentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500842922178268585.post-51195007746362381962011-05-23T10:33:15.486-04:002011-05-23T10:33:15.486-04:00The BOE can also decide to decline a $10,000 raise...The BOE can also decide to decline a $10,000 raise to one of their highest paid employees during financially difficult times for everyone. ie: significantly reduced state aid, no raises for those in the private sector for years, no raises for those on SS, many unemployed - not to mention hitting the taxpayers with a double digit increase two years in a row. This budget was declined for a reason -You guys are not listening to the taxpayers! Well, can you hear us now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com