Syosset BOE Answers Questions at Budget Hearing

With the budget vote just a week away, the Syosset Board of Education faced a crowd armed with questions at Monday night's budget hearing at

The meeting drew a supportive crowd of parents as in and also a few residents looking for answers.

Syosset resident Chris DiFilippo was one of those in attendance. He asked if the agreed upon salary freeze by teachers and administrators would actually be deferred to next year or years later, or if it was totally lost. Superintendent Carole Hankin answered that the freeze was indeed permanent.

Another big question mark for residents -- addressed by the board --  was the topic of reserves. The Board has more than $32 million available in reserves, and said $3.6 million will be used this year. The agreed upon teacher salary freeze will add an equal number in savings.

“Now that we are in difficult economic times, with declining state aid, we are able to preserve our programs by using our reserves," Board President Marc Herman said. "This is exactly what reserves are for...we will continue to rely on reserves for the next several years to help stabilize the budget and hep us through those difficult times."

But Herman cautioned: "We need to be careful because when reserves run out, we only have taxpayers to make up the loss."

Herman stated that the use of reserves is highly regulated, and that when you use them, they can only be used for their intended legal purpose. For example, you could not use the workers compensation reserve to cover salaries, he said.

Hankin further explained the reason for the teacher salary freeze and reserve use.

"We're trying to cover a $6 million extra charge that [the state] put on us," Hankin said.

The School Board has said it would adopt a contingency budget should the budget fail, and that the proposed budget is the lowest possible increase in line with the contingency budget. Should voters defeat the budget, however, the district does have the option of offering a revised budget to voters for a revote.

"If you think that failing the budget this year will send a message, the only message you would be sending is to your students that they don't make a difference," Syosset resident Karen Ventricelli said. "You don't get all of those programs back, and you don't get any of those teachers back."

Susan Parker, President of the Syosset Council of PTAs, shared similar sentiments.

"This proposed budget, with still guarantees the continuation of the depth of our academic and extracurriculars programs for our students, which includes athletics, clubs, organizations and cultural and research partnerships," Parker said.

Towards the end of the meeting, Hankin had strong words for "anonymous people who have been spreading lies."

"Any of these people...I am now challenging them to come to my office and meet with me," Hankin said. "And I will tell them any answer on any topic. Because enough with the lies."