Residents Voice Concerns Amid School Budget Increases

The public had its first in-depth look at the Sayville School district budget on May 10 at a public hearing and budget information meeting.

Click here for full details on the proposed budget.

It was also the public’s first chance to voice their opinions, concerns and ideas on the budget. The two areas that sparked the most debate centered on teacher's and administrator's salaries, and the plans for the contingency budget.

When presenting the budget, the board noted that the teacher’s had voluntarily taken a half year pay freeze last year and would do the same for 2011-2012. Some residents wondered why they didn’t negotiate full year freezes like most unions do. “They are still technically getting a raise,” said resident Laura Valenti. “You are being disingenuous when you tell the public that the teachers have gone 18 months without a raise. Are they still getting their step increases at the end of the year?”

, president of the Sayville’s Teacher’s Association, took the liberty of addressing those concerns. “I have lived in this community for 20 years and I think the taxes are too high. So why only six-month freezes? Sayville teachers were one of the first to step up and take a freeze. A lot of our teachers live in the community and they understand the dire economic situation we are in. None of our teachers needed their arms twisted.

“The taxpayers actually end up paying less money in salaries by spreading the step increases over two years – it is two smaller steps in salary increase instead of one big step. We always try to work with the district because we understand what’s going on. I really think you are putting the blame in the wrong place. We don’t want to see a community divided. You all have to understand what’s going on in Albany.”

Another bone of contention is the contingency budget. If the budget put up by the school board doesn’t pass next week, the district may be forced into contingency.

For information on the contingency budget, click here.

“It’s all about perception,” said resident Mike Paul. “If we don’t vote for your 7.39 percent budget, you are holding us hostage. The perception is we have to vote your way or we go to contingency and get punished. It’s basically like if we vote your way, we get your $2.5 million in reserves and if we don’t we lose our programs.”

Added longtime resident Debbie Langstaf, “I have voted for 35 years and I have never voted a budget down. It just aggravates me that you are blackmailing me into voting for a budget. It’s just wrong and it’s how residents feel. If your budget gets voted down, you will know why.”