Warwick to hold symposium on school tax alternatives Oct. 21

School district invites federal, state and local politicians to answer questions,By Linda Smith Hancharick Warwick — Last year while members of the Warwick Valley School Board were putting together the district’s budget, they decided to be more proactive in helping to find a solution to rising local school taxes. Warwick’s budget had been voted down several times in the last decade, including last year, and taxpayers wanted something done about the ever-rising school taxes. This year’s budget, which was voted down by residents in May, is up 4.49 percent from last year and totals $71,762,216. That’s not small change, but many believe they are getting a top-rate education here in Warwick. Test scores are always above state standards and among the best in Orange County. There are extra-curricular activities for everyone, from math club to drama to music to sports. Most people, whether they vote yes or no on the budget, have something in common: They want to afford to stay here in Warwick. That is getting more difficult to do year after year because of rising school taxes, whether you have children in the school or an empty nest. On Oct. 21, a big first step will be taken. The school board has invited federal, state, and local lawmakers to Warwick High School for a school tax symposium. The invitation list includes Gov. George Pataki, gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, U.S. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, Rep. Sue Kelly, her opponent in the upcoming election, John Hall, and all members of the state Assembly representing Orange County, including Annie Rabbitt. Every school board member and district superintendent in Orange County has also been invited, as well as local lawmakers. “We want to discuss state and federal funding toward school districts and how that impacts the local taxpayer,” said Dr. Frank Greenhall, superintendent of Warwick schools. “Last year when we were doing the budget, people said ‘We’ll work with you here in town but you have to effect change in Albany.’ They told us the board had to be more proactive.” Board members Colleen Johnson, Bob Howe and Jeanine Sarbak are heading this summit. They sent out the letters and have been getting some response. Pataki will not be attending and Schumer is sending a representative. Assembly members Rabbitt, Nancy Calhoun and Kevin Cahill have all said yes. There are still many who have not responded and Greenhall said another letter was sent recently. “We thought it would be a great time to have a summit, right before election day,” added Greenhall. How it will work is this way: The summit will be opened by Billy Easton, executive director of Alliance for Quality Education. Easton’s group has done studies on educational equity issues and how that would affect districts. “If their plan was followed, the state would send $1.4 million extra dollars to Warwick,” said Greenhall. The Florida School District would receive an additional $254,000 and Greenwood Lake would get up to $51,000 more, according to Greenhall. After Easton’s brief comments, the politicians who accept the invitation will answer questions submitted by taxpayers concerning funding to school districts. Those who cannot attend the summit may submit questions to the Board of Education. Johnson will serve as moderator. After the question and answer session, the crowd will break up into groups and meet with the legislators in round table discussions. Others who will take part may include representatives from the New York State School Boards Association and the Council of Schools Superintendents. “We will have a full panel answering questions,” said Greenhall. Greenhall said he and the board want this to be an annual thing, being held in different districts each year. “It would be great if this year we did it in Warwick, next year in another district, and so on,” he said. Of course the main purpose of this symposium is to let legislators know how decreasing aid is affecting their constituents. “We want the legislators to get a picture of what people are saying,” Greenhall said. “And we want to put together an advocacy group to look for funding changes. Ultimately, we want to receive the state aid levels that used to be.” The symposium will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the high school auditorium.