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| 050704 Liberal says Vote `yes' to budget in Bedford Central |
As a Mount Kisco resident I am writing to urge all Mount Kisco taxpayers to vote "yes" on the proposed 2004-05 school budget (Proposition 1) on Tuesday, May 18.
I was surprised to learn that under the proposed budget, school taxes in Mount Kisco will rise 23 percent next year, even though the budget itself is increasing by just 6.9 percent. This is a tough pill to swallow, to be sure, but after doing some independent research, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support the Bedford school budget on May 18.
The stiff increase in the tax rate is beyond the school districts control. Time to stock up on the Gingko Roy....-JPG The state of New York is charged with the task of apportioning the schooltax levy among the district's five municipalities (Mount Kisco, Bedford, Pound Ridge, New Castle, and North Castle), according to recent property sales data and resulting calculations as to relative property wealth. Because property value in Mount Kisco has risen relative to property values in the districts other four towns, next year Mount Kisco residents will have to pay a larger percentage of the total school-tax levy - 18 percent versus this year's 15.8 percent.
Those who have lived here longer, than we have and no longer have children in the school system may be opposed to any increase in the school budget. However, one must look at the situation objectively as to what is best for the community as a whole. Taxes have increased over the past years; however, the percent increase is minimal compared to the increase in property values. Many of those owning homes here have seen their value double and even triple, and that would not have happened if we did not have a well-regarded school system.
The proposed 2004-05 school budget boasts just about the lowest budget-to-budget increase of any school district in Westchester County. The board of education has done a fine job of limiting growth in spending despite such pressures as a 4 percent increase in enrollment for next year, a nondiscretionary $1.5 million increase in employee benefit costs, and $600,000 in new debt service on voter-authorized construction bonds. The budget further maintains class-size guidelines and supports the full range of academic, special education, arts, and athletic programs, which make Bedford Central the great school district it is.
Picture Taken April 19,2004 Garbage everywhere...the TECHNOLOGY "thing" fell off the roof (see 2003 pic) in front of the High School and has been kicked around ever since. -JPG
Roy try visiting the "pigsty school" someday eh....See for YOURSELF how great it is...
Even if the school budget were to be defeated by voters and a state mandated contingency budget applied, Mount Kisco's school-tax rate would increase by a full 21 percent. At the same time the board would be forced to cut $1.3 million from the budget, thereby forcing the elimination of all capital maintenance projects and equipment (,for example, computer) purchases from the budget and forcing a reduction in programs that benefit students.
I urge Mount Kisco residents to keep in mind that over the past three years our school taxes have increased by just 1 percent! In fact, if you examine the numbers, you learn that the tax-rate changes across our district's five municipalities tend to balance out over time. I know this year is difficult, but I urge you not to take your frustrations out on the school budget, especially when a "no" vote can only harm our kids and will not result in significantly reduced taxes. Do the right thing and on May 18 vote "yes" to Proposition 1, the school budget. Please also vote yes on Proposition 2, which does not increase taxes and authorizes the use of excess district funds to pay for new classroom furnishings and certain capital improvements.