NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt
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NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt |
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Bellmore/N. Bellmore – Merrick/N. Merrick
The hazing scandal at Mepham High School has drawn the community’s attention to our schools and the performance of the educational establishment in our community. The educational establishment is defined as: the school superintendent’s office, the top school administrators, the teachers and administrators unions, the school board and the leadership of the P.T.A. In some measure, the State Legislators are closely aligned with this group. They constitute a formidable alliance, but they can be beaten and this year they will be more vulnerable than ever.
In recent months the community has witnessed all too clearly where the establishment stands when it comes to accountability and responsibility. Their inaction, their silence and the position they have taken against the legitimate case for significant change has harmed the reputation of our schools and the quality of education we can expect for our children. This scandal has rocked our community and drawn the good people of Bellmore/Merrick into the unfavorable glare of national attention.
When the school administration lets you down, when the school board is unresponsive to your concerns, when the legislative system fails to look out for your interests and when those aligned with the school establishment tell you to shut up, it's time to fight back. Don't let them push you or your children around. Change starts with you.
Anyone interested in running for the school board of one of the component districts of the CHSD are encouraged to e-mail me at HOEYFAMILY2003@YAHOO.COM. It only takes 25 signatures to get your name on the ballot (100 for a ballot proposition), and the need is great for independent minded board members who do not automatically recite the Administration's official line. Or for more information, you can contact the New York State School Boards Association website at www.NYSSBA.ORG for a general overview of the process.
Information is 95% of the effort. All replies will be kept strictly confidential, but together, a coalition of candidates can make a strong team for change.
The four elementary school districts (Merrick, Bellmore, N. Merrick, N. Bellmore) comprise the Bellmore/Merrick Central High School District. The financial picture that forms the foundation of this relationship is expensive.
Taxpayers in each Elementary District support 2 Administrations, two $100,000+ Superintendents, two sets of $100,000+ Assistant Superintendents and well paid Administrative staff. We support 2 budget making apparatus', budget staffs and 2 district-wide budget mailings prior to the budget vote. We pay for 2 sets of high priced attorney's that advise the school board members not to speak on topics of importance to the community unless ordered by a court of law to talk. Each household pays for 2 expensive administrative units when nearly every single other school district on Long Island pays for one, many of which rank substantially higher on New York State’s standardized tests. Having separate administrative units devoted to the elementary and secondary schools has not contributed to Bellmore/Merrick’s comparative rankings on New York State’s standardized academic tests.
In all, the 4 component parts and the central Bellmore/Merrick district contains 5 sets of administrators and their staffs, 5 accounting firms, 5 outside attorney's, 5 budget experts and a host of consultants. Bellmore/Merrick taxpayers pay a premium for this luxury.
Why not cut out this waste by merging and plow the money back into the classroom? Judging by the response to the tax shock associated with reassessment the time would appear to be right to find economies. In fact, if the budget administrators were really interested in delivering quality education at affordable prices they would recommend this consolidation themselves. Don’t you think it’s finally time to take a good hard look at this arrangement?
The numbers are there for victory, you just have to know where to look.
Since only 20% of the eligible population votes in these races, 80 of the community's votes are up for grabs. Voters not ordinarily attentive to school board issues are more interested than ever now. They are looking for a candidate who expresses their point of view for a change.
The next election is scheduled for May 18, 2004. This will be the ideal time to bring about the changes that are so urgently needed.
Restore local control over our schools, run for the school board because we really CAN change what the educational establishment tells us CANNOT be.
Disclaimer: This article was submitted by a resident of the Mepham School District. The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc. supports the call for public participation and awareness; however we do not support or endorse any particular candidate.