VOTE YES TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD

On May 21st I urge all my fellow Commackians to vote Yes to the proposition on this year’s ballot to increase the school board from 5 to 7 members. In my view, there is no legitimate reason for why anyone would consider opposing this proposal. The only people who would do so are those who are either misinformed and/or acting in their self-interest (or on behalf of the current board) to avoid change in favor of maintaining the status quo.

Adding 2 new seats to the board will provide other residents with an opportunity to run for the board without having to go against an incumbent and avoid any adversity that occurs during a normal election. I have carefully considered this issue and have discussed it with friends, and no one I have spoken with has pointed out any real downside whatsoever. The district is operating with nearly a $180 million dollar budget this year and it will keep growing. How can 5 trustees be better than 7 in managing such a huge amount of money? While we have managed with 5 trustees so far, should we pass on this opportunity now and then complain when a disaster happens? Other surrounding districts, some with smaller budget than Commack, have at least 7 trustees, why would we want to stay with only 5?

Ask yourself, have these 5 trustees done such a wonderful job managing the financial aspects of this district that we should be afraid to shake things up and add new blood and ideas? I don’t think so. Certainly not when they have been cutting our kids’ program, clubs and teachers for years, yet able to find money to pay for Dr. James’ $106,000 secretary, a $145,000 webmaster, a $100,000 public relations coordinator!!, not to mention the over $500k they pay the district’s attorney.

To those who are concerned about the few thousand dollars it will cost to hold a special election if the proposal passes, I say so what? Should we not hold elections every year simply because they cost money? Who ever said democracy is free? Also, the cost involved ($10k-15k) is not that large and a relatively small amount considering the budget is $180M and the benefits and protections of more oversight that adding these 2 new seats will afford us. Cost is also a non-issue because, as many may not realize, between the surplus money built into the current budget and its unreserved fund, the district has well over $10 million dollars in its piggy bank. Yes..that’s right..over $10M! So at worst they’ll have a few thousand $$ less, sorry but that is just not enough of an excuse to justify voting no.

You are probably asking yourself then why are they not restoring the programs/clubs for our kids they cut last year?..and why are they cutting nurses and custodians? I ask the same the questions. Hopefully we will get 2 people to run with more common sense than the 5 trustees we have now. This is exactly why 2 more seats on the board is a good thing and why everyone should vote YES to 7..