Letter to Editor: BBP BOE Reduction Proposal Not a Good Move

First let me start off by saying thank you to all the candidates running for the Bayport-Blue Point Board of Education.

This goes to both the incumbents and the four challengers. I’m sure it took a lot of time and thought just to make the commitment to run. I look forward to the “Meet the Candidates” night on May 10 to hear how you think you can ensure we continue to produce a quality education for our children while balancing the financial pressures of the budget. I hope and encourage all community members to attend that meeting as well.

However I do want to point out one very important but “harmless looking” item that will also be put up to vote and that is the referendum to reduce the current Board of Education from seven trustees to five.

The simple fact is that this is not in the best interest of our community to approve this reduction. If you have spoken with a board member or attended the BOE meetings it is very clear that time commitments of this position are only increasing. And with some very important decisions on the horizon; the hiring of a new superintendent, negotiating new contracts, and the perennial exercise of cost containment, it is apparent that we cannot afford to reduce our board.

Reducing the trustees from seven to five only reduces the representation and the voice of each and everyone in the community. The hard earned tax dollars that you pay will essentially be decided upon by a simple majority of three Trustees. Whether or not the majority is represented by three new board members or three existing board members, it is not in our community’s best interest.

So please get out there and get to know the candidates and exercise your right to vote on May 15 th, but please make sure you also don’t reduce your voice at the same time. Vote NO to the referendum to reduce the board from 7 to 5.

Thank you, a concerned but optimistic community member,

John Vazquez, Bayport