MEET THE BAUMANN SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
SCHOOLS
If your main source of revenue was Realtor ads you'd write a crap editorial like this too
051404 Katonah-Lewisboro at a crossroads
Can Katonah-Lewisboro shake the conflicts that have divided the district into two distinct camps? As voters prepare to decide on the
$85,044,000 budget - an overall 8.95 percent increase from last year - this election presents an opportunity for voters to express themselves and their goals for the district.The district has bent over backward - some say even too far - to address community concerns about the need for better communications by hiring a public relations specialist, presenting extensive surveys, publications, and even creating a "rumor mill" section on the district's Web site.
Is it working, and is it money well spent? No one can fault the district for trying. The district has promptly addressed many voter concerns, including the enrichment program for elementary school students, providing a credible morning start time, and finding new hires to keep the schools well-staffed with fine personnel.
Katonah residents long for an assistant principal at Katonah Elementary School. The collapse of the alternative high school wasn't pretty, and the district should rethink its relation with BOCES and Walkabout - but that's another story. A "no" budget vote would only make those hopes more distant.
The financial security of our town is dependent upon quality education and the trust that the public must have in supporting that education. The district's financial resources are strained, as are all state districts, by state mandates for employee retirement contributions - the Employees Retirement System and Teachers' Retirement System are increasing by
77 and 87 percent, respectively as well as health-care costs and federal programs required by "No Child Left Behind."We believe that the
$85,044,000 budget proposed in Katonah-Lewisboro's Proposition 1 is in keeping with the area's other school districts and urge its passage.Of the candidates for school board, Donna Walsh and Bruce Pavalow, we feel that Ms. Walsh best articulates the vision for our community. A tireless volunteer and self-described "zealous listener," Katonah resident Ms. Walsh has served on the Parent Council, Character Education Committee, Construction Committee, Safety Committee, Food Service Committee, and as PTO president, among other volunteer roles. Residents know she can be counted on to continue to provide a voice for their concerns and needs.
Mr. Pavalow's important contributions in this race included pointing to the need for evaluation of the district's expenditures and a critical examination of those expenditures. He does not say "no" for the sake of saying no, and his goal of urging the district to exert greater spending scrutiny is an important one.
However, a vote for Ms. Walsh can assure voters that those goals will continue to be met.
On Proposition 2, vote yes for new buses. This is a critical safety issue. Buses are inspected by DOT and held to a high standard, with good reason. The buses are 12 to
15 years old and should be replaced.Katonah-Lewisboro's Proposition 3 calls for Bond Anticipatory Notes, or BANs, for roof repairs at the middle school and Meadow Pond Elementary School and other maintenance items. This is necessary work: if the district does not re-coat the roofs and they fail - one is already leaking - they cannot be repaired. If this proposition fails, the money will have to come out of educational funds or the reserve.
Katonah-Lewisboro's Proposition
4 and Proposition 5 request approval to increase the school board from five to seven members. A five-member board has worked in the past - but it stresses the time and energy of volunteers. While five members may enhance efficiency, seven members could increase diversity. The additional members could also enable further depth of study by allowing members to break into subcommittees - as they did with the districts long-range financial plan and technology subcommittees.