So, not much more time before our new Town Council votes on the 2016-17 budget, which includes an unprecedented, never seen before, almost $8 million increase to the Board of Education Budget. If they don’t get what they want, Superintendent Janet Robinson and COO, Clarence Zachery, have stated that it will be painful. What they mean is that rather than cut from the top (you know, from 1000 East Broadway), and forego non-union raises (something that doesn’t seem to have ever happened over the last 10 years), they will cut teachers which in turn will increase class sizes, and hurt our children’s education. So, they again will target the children and make the parents squeal.
We think, as taxpayers, we have the power to do something. Whether or not we have children, we all could squeal loud enough to the Board Members of the Board of Education and make sure they start cutting the pork fat. We have heard lots of ideas and “water cooler” talk about where to start on 1000 East Broadway. So, let’s hear it. Where would you cut the fat? We’ve reviewed the BOE budget over and over and honestly, things don’t seem “kosher.” Odd how Jim and Johnny could just bounce it right to the Town Council.
A few things to remember. Whatever the Town Council does approve for the BOE, they have absolutely no say in how the money gets spent. The BOE Board needs to force 1000 East Broadway to “tighten the purse strings.” Next year, it won’t be $107 million they are asking for, it WILL be more, it’s always more. Where does the overspending stop? Yes, our children need the money, but there is never a guarantee that it will go to our children.
We are tired of all that extra pork fat in both the Town and BOE budgets, aren’t you? Let’s start giving the Town Council and BOE Board ideas. It’s our Town too.