Warwick school budgets: ‘Centered on Know, not No'

To the editor: It is very rare that I have ever written a letter to the editor, but some recent correspondence in this column has brought me to the point that I feel I must respond publicly. As much as it may be a shock to those who follow the writings of individuals about school taxes and tax responsibility and haven’t seen the columns I have written previously, let me begin by stating I agree with recent letters stating the system of taxation for education needs to change. I believe, as these writers do, there needs to be a change of the burden from homeowners to the general population. I can only hope that between individuals like these authors and others we might work together to see a change in Albany and at the national level. Once, however, we get beyond the need to change the system of taxation for schools, I have to pull away from and disagree with Mr. Stanaitis’ approach to “vote no in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012” until the “powers to be” at higher levels hear the message. Unfortunately, the message at the state and federal levels will not be heard as a result of continuing austerity budgets in Warwick. Mr. Fullerton is correct when he states that “even with a 4 percent austerity budget every year, the quality of education will deteriorate slowly at first but exponentially after several austerity budgets.” Yes, the school budget is the “only” vote we have as citizens on taxation, but there are other ways and votes that can change the system. I would suggest instead of circling the wagons and then shooting each other inside that we have a concentrated effort to fire in the proper direction for change and do it in a unified manner. One of my jobs as superintendent is to change the “No” votes to “Know” votes, and to this end the budget committee has already begun preparations for next year’s successful budget. My door is open and I stand ready to continue to meet with groups to allow me to try to explain and help individuals better understand school finances that might influence them as they vote in the future. As an educator I have always centered on Know, not No, and will continue hopefully far into the future. Thank you. Dr. Frank Greenhall Superintendent of Schools Warwick Valley Central School District