Schools

Moms Talk Q & A: Lower Taxes or Cut Staff?

It's budget crunch time for local school districts. Should staff be cut?

Like most school districts on Long Island, both Elwood and Northport are grappling with where to cut to keep budgets manageable. 

In Elwood, . Four more would need to be cut to keep the athletic program.

Going forward, cuts would need to be even deeper if Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2% tax cap on property taxes were to be approved. Even if Elwood voters support the drastic budget cuts this year, another $2.8 million would need to be cut in 2012-13.  Those cuts would grow to $5 million in 2013-14 and $7 million in 2014-15.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Northport, the Board of Education t, although Cuomo's tax cap wouldn't be instituted until next year if approved at all. Some residents and members of the United Taxpayers of Northport-East Northport, however, believe the budget increase should be zero.

Superintendnet Marylou McDermott proposed allocating $3.5 million from the surplus fund balance and another $2.25 million from reserve funds to make up for increases in health care and pensions and possible decreases in state aid. 

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Where do you think the districts should cut? Will you support the budgets as proposed so far? 


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