Reader Feedback: Superintendent's Initial 2012-13 Budget Presentation

With the new tax cap in place for the 2012-13 school year, Superintendent Richard Nathan felt it was important to give the Lindenhurst community a look now at the upcoming budget challenges the faces because of the cap - instead of later in the school year.

He outlined those challenges - which included pessimistic picture of state aid and a variety of program and staff cuts - during his initial presentation at the .

After attending and learning about those challenges , residents and readers of Lindenhurst Patch have expressed some strong views.

And their feedback seems to show that there's still a rift between taxpayers and teachers, whose union, TAL, is still in contract negotiations with the district.

Here's what they had to say:

Richard Koehler: "It was extremely disappointing attending this BOE Community Forum. Mr. Nathan did a very good job outlining to the community the dire situation we face as parents and taxpayers for this coming year and future years.

"It is disappointing to know that the employees (teachers), who receive their salary and benefits from the taxpayers didn't have the courtesy of attending the meeting despite being invited. I have to wonder if this was at the direction of TAL.

"It is now time for our employees and their representatives to step up and show us that they are partners with us in trying to provide the best education for our children while dealing with the formidable financial obstacles we face."

squaw: "It's also extremely disappointing that Mr. Nathan scheduled a night meeting around a time when teachers are doing several days and nights of report card conferences. Perhaps the timing near [that and] Thanksgiving is what caused the lack of attendance.

"The teachers in the district certainly worked hard for your children. It is quite disappointing their efforts are not supported by you."

Michael DiGiuseppe: "Thank God for the tax cap. Now they have to start running these schools like the private sector. For the last five years I've had pay freezes and give-backs shoved down my throat due to the bad economy, and they're finally seeing the 'harsh realities' of the economy?

"The school population has been dropping for years while the administration levels have soared. I gladly pay my fair share. Some of these teachers are the best out there, and we're lucky to have them, but I'd like to see the top salaries match what's going on in the real world."

duffy: "School taxes are the largest chunk of my tax bill - and my son doesn't even attend the schools. The superintendent will need to budget just like everyone else....The schools should base tenure and benefits on performance, just like in the real world."

Me: "I am an employee of the district, who like many of the residents, have not had a pay increase for several years. I am working without a contract at the current time. I am one of the groups that agreed to a pay freeze to help the district - unlike the teachers, who did nothing to help the district."

Michael DiGiuseppe: "The teachers won't get it until they're faced with the same realities as those in the private sector. They've always had the cushion of another tax increase and back to business as usual. The shame of it is the young teachers are going to get hurt first."

Richard Koehler: "Nobody is knocking what the teachers do because they are an important part of our children's development, and most are hard-working, dedicated people. But what is frustrating is the current leadership's inability to recognize economic realities or just simply ignore it."

Lindy Native: "I am a teacher. I was unable to attend the budget meeting since I previously had a parent meeting for my students one month in advance....Teachers received notice the week of the meeting. I am so sick of feeling like I have to defend us, and at every budget meeting I attend teachers get attacked."

me2: "This is exactly why we have problems between teachers and parents. I work really hard. I am dedicated to my career....I work two jobs to put food on the table and pay for taxes for your salary and to pay for my home....It's not personal; it's just reality. We all have to cut back."

Do you agree? Disagree? Have another concern? Share in the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter, or e-mail barbara.loehr@patch.com.