Posted 6/8/11

State Property Tax Cap Moves Toward Passage

      While the community gets lulled by the lazy, hazy days of summer ahead, there is a major storm looming on the horizon for our schools and communities. Pay attention!

      Pledging to provide relief to suburban homeowners, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York legislative leaders have agreed to place a 2 percent limit on property tax increases for2012-13…a plan that rivals the toughest in the nation.

      This is a “wake up” call. While the 2011-12 budget is in place and things get quiet on the budget talks, come Fall the community could be shocked to find the district looking at unprecedented reductions when planning begins for the 2012-13 budget. If you thought this year’s cuts were tough, there is no comparison.
Even if $700,000 in reductions are made to administration and every employee takes a salary freeze, the district will have to cut an additional $5 million from the 2012-13 under this legislation. After three years of cutting as a result of reductions in state aid and no real mandate relief on the horizon, there will be nothing left to do other than cut an additional 90-150 positions.

      “There is no more trimming around the edges,” said Dr. L. Oliver Robinson. “We will be forced to look at all non-required programs and services and it is not an overstatement to say that future students will not have access to the same programs and opportunities as students do today.”

Provisions the proposed tax cap:

• If a tax levy increase is proposed at 2 percent or below, the support of a simple majority of voters would be required to pass the budget.

• Cap override: A tax levy increase greater than 2 percent would require the approval of 60 percent of voters. In the past 12 years, only three budget votes have passed by that margin at Shenendehowa.

      The New York Times editorial sums it up best “Now they [Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature] want to adopt a cheap political tool that would only further devastate communities around the state … Property taxes in New York are undeniably high. But a tax cap is not the answer. It is an invitation to disaster.”

Lessons learned from tax cap legislation in other states

      The states of California and Massachusetts provide a recent historical perspective on tax cap legislation. California implemented a cap while at the same time imposing enormous cuts in state aid support for local schools. As a result that educational system has been completely ravaged by poor legislative decision-making. Conversely, Massachusetts had fewer issues because state officials were willing to take on greater responsibility and increased funding to local schools.
      The New York Times writes:
“In the same way that Proposition 13 has ravaged California, a New York property tax cap would do huge damage to already struggling schools and the state’s long-term economic competitiveness. California’s education system was once the envy of the nation. Education Week now ranks it 46th for achievement in grades K-12, below Alabama and South Carolina. New York schools currently rank 8th. For how much longer?
      Not surprising, the Albany politicians and business leaders championing the tax cap don’t like to talk about California. Instead, they point to Massachusetts, which capped property taxes at 2.5 percent in 1980. It wasn’t a happy tale there, either. Communities starved of needed revenues were forced to lay off teachers, police officers and firefighters and to shut libraries and senior centers.
Massachusetts schools suffered so badly that the Legislature had to pump in more and more state financing, especially to the poorer school districts.”

What can you do? Urgent action is required

      Vigorous public opposition by parents and the community is the most effective tactic. But you must act fast. State leaders said that they are hoping to finalize the agreement and enact the cap as law by the end of the current legislative session on June 20.

• Assembly contact information is available here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/  -- you will need to call to obtain a fax number.

• Senate contact information is available here: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators  -- fax numbers are listed.

• Here is a direct link to the on-line letter the New York State PTA provides for its members to send: http://www.capwiz.com/npta2/ny/issues/alert/?alertid=48266501

• Here is a link to an online petition being circulated by the PTA: http://www.petitiononline.com/qrvsdt36/

Posted 6/8/11

The Shenendehowa Central School District has reached an agreement with the Shenendehowa Administrators Association (SAA) on a two-year contract that is retroactive to July 1, 2010. There are 35 members in the SAA bargaining unit including principals, assistant principals and academic administrators. The net cost impact of the contract is 1.21% or a $41,941 total over two years. />
Some of the key elements are highlighted below:

• The settlement includes a retroactive salary increase of 1.5% for the 2010-11 school year and a 0% salary increase for 2011-12. Administrators do not receive step increases.

• The district’s contribution to health insurance and prescription drug premiums will decrease from 89% to 88% effective upon ratification until December 31, 2011. Beginning January 1, 2012, the district’s contribution to health insurance and prescription drug premiums will decrease to 85%, saving the district more than $10,000 over the period of the contract.

“Recognizing the difficult financial times, our administrators came forward and offered a 0% salary freeze for 2011-12 and made concessions that will reduce the district’s health insurance costs moving forward,” said Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, superintendent. “Their willingness to work with us shows true leadership and is greatly appreciated.”
Administrators agreed to the pact on April 25. The Board of Education ratified the contract on Tuesday, June 7. The approved contract will be posted soon on the Human Resource page on the district’s website at www.shenet.org.

Posted 6/2/11

Boys Varsity Lacrosse--Class A Champs--head to regionals

Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Lacrosse team on winning the Class A Sectional Championship game last night against Niskayuna in front of over 1200 fans! They will move on to Regional action Saturday, 1 p.m. at UAlbany against Mahopac (Section 1 Champs). Go SHEN!