Letter to the Editor

Blogger Note: the following is a letter to the editor at the PCNR. The author, Elizabeth Edelson, has kindly allowed the PTA BOE blog to republish it here.

May 7, 2011

Mr. Douglas Cunningham

Editor in Chief

Putnam County News & Recorder

144 Main Street

Cold Spring, NY 10516

To the Editor:

I write in support of the Haldane Board of Education’s proposed budget for 2011-2012. As a taxpayer and resident, I appreciate that the Board has put forth a budget that increases by less than 1%, applies reserves to reduce the tax rate, and ‘tightens the belt’ for future years. As a new Haldane parent, I am grateful for a budget that maintains the high caliber of education that is so critical for this community’s young people.

This can’t have been an easy task. In this tough economy, school districts are facing both reductions in aid from New York State AND skyrocketing pension costs for their employees. (Those pension rates are assessed by the state, and districts have no control over setting rates.) Most school districts have responded to these twin challenges by cutting jobs – eliminating positions that will have a direct impact on the quality of education they can provide.

I commend the Haldane administration and the BOE for putting together a responsible budget plan that manages to preserve the educational program.   Please vote to approve this budget on May 17^th.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Edelson