Letter to Editor: Brooks Misguided in His Albany Petition Drive

I am writing in response to the petition drive by John Brooks to try and get more state aid for Seaford. I’m afraid Mr. Brooks overlooked and lost site of a few key factors in his zeal  that the community needs to be informed of.

After contacting both of our representatives in Albany, State Se. Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, and David McDonough, R-Merrick, to verify Brooks’ assumptions that by aggressively petitioning Albany, Seaford could conceivably stir enough support to possibly receive additional aid now. I was informed by both representatives of the following :

• The State budget is closed and has been  for several weeks
• The state itself is in a deficit of almost $10 billion dollars.
• The State Budget cannot and will not be reopened for Seaford.
• Our representatives are aware of the funding disparity for all the districts they represent.
• There is no money available no matter how many letters petitions, etc.

However according to Mr. Brooks , we should gather the troops, storm the bastion scream from the roof tops, pound our chests proudly , “We are one  of the lowest spending districts in the state.” “We have no commerce” “we are over taxed and underfunded.”

 Mr. Brooks:

• Have we spent, no matter how little or how much, judiciously?”
• Have we requested additional aid previous to this?
• Have we applied for the grants the state provides?
• You are aware Seaford chose not to have large commercial properties to subsidize taxes?
• Why are our reserves the lowest in state?
• Why did we choose to build a music building rather than invest in more urgently needed capital improvements?
• Who negotiated the current bargaining unit contracts?
• Who hired the administrative Staff?
• Who elects the Board of Education members ?
• Why have we procrastinated on making a decision on the Seaford Ave property?
• Are you aware that the State Budget is closed and the state has a $10 billion dollar deficit?

The state legislature is not going to re-open the budget for Seaford nor is the Governor going to give us a stay of execution because we write letters or sign a petition. There simply is no money. Both of our representatives are fully cognizant that we are one of the lowest spending districts, that we are one of the highest taxed districts.

It is noted that our reserves are at the lowest in the state , that they have been since the debacle we had several years ago. They are also aware that we are not alone. I am equally sure both representatives will stand beside us when we need their support.

Seaford wasn’t  singled out, we simply weren’t prepared.  Previous boards/administrators didn’t see the writing on the wall as some districts did , nor did we as a community  heeds any of the economic warnings. Our previous boards actions during last year’s contract negotiations are having an adverse effect we will feel for many years down the road.  We have made some very poor choices, bad decisions , we as a community are reaping the rewards of those poor choices and abject apathy.

We have not, as a school district, adapted to the current financial situation, we expect it to adapt to us. Our School District still adheres strongly to the axiom “This is how we have done business” rather than “this is how we need to do business today or tomorrow.”

We need to make informed choices, sounder financial decisions, work smarter, leaner and yes in some cases harder. We need to hold people accountable. If we take the steps needed immediately it may have a small impact on this year’s budget, it will also send a more important message to Albany:

“We heeded your advice, we acted quickly with sound fiscal judgment, now help us correct the inequity in funding and give us our fair share!”

We must pick and choose our battles, timing is everything. Now is not the time to battle Albany, that window of opportunity is closed.  Now is the time to demand from the people who we do have control over, the board and the administration, to make changes quickly.  Impose greater control and oversight make sure our Administrators are doing everything possible, examining every line item, title, every salary to insure the money we do have is spent in a fiscally sound responsible manner.

Mr. Brooks, although well intentioned, you are not doing this community any good by holding out a ray of hope that we have even an iota of chance in hell  a white knight with a satchel of gold is  galloping down Rt. 135  to save the day. That is irresponsible.  You are in fact taking the focus off of the issues that need to be addressed whether by design or unintentional.

Seaford needs to focus on what it can change today. All the energy being expended towards Albany should be redirected and focused on the board, the administrators, the June 14 budget hearing and on the June 21 re-vote .

I like a good fight more than most, however, I would prefer Seaford is fully prepared for battle!

 On time, informed, with a full complement of tools and resources versus:, misinformed, outraged indignation turning to embarrassment because we were very late for the party, no one was home and someone drank all the champagne!

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Lorraine DeVita

Seaford