My Lesson Plan
September 21, 2009 at 1:58 am 2 comments
Make affordability one of our District’s stated goals
Articulate specific budget reduction goals for this year
Set a savings goal and work to achieve it
Create a Fine-Tooth Comb committee to identify short-term savings
Launch efforts now to achieve future spending reductions
Spearhead efforts to achieve significant long-term savings, such as cooperative efforts with neighboring communities
Represent taxpayers of all ages and income levels
Of all ages: seniors, people who don’t have children, parents, everyone
Of all income levels: those on fixed incomes, working class, middle class, affluent
Change communication patterns
Bring more people in conversation: seniors, teachers, people on fixed incomes, people without children, and parents
Try new things: web forums, senior outreach, community forums, table outside the A&P, etc.
Leverage community talent
Foster community engagement: creative thinking is one of our community’s biggest assets.
Stop equating higher spending with greater educational value.
If there is any proof that more spending results in better schools, I’d like to see it. The relationship between spending and quality is being debunked in medical care, and it should be challenged in education as well.
Stop trying to keep up with neighboring affluent suburbs
Can’t we create a more compelling vision than an affluent homogenous suburb? What about community values, economic, generational and racial diversity? The best lesson for our children is that we can shape our lives and our community.
Click on comments to describe what YOUR lesson plan would include.
Posted by Jane Cody 9/20/09
Opinions represent those of the poster.
Entry filed under: Administration, School Taxes. Tags: .
1.
Harvie S | September 30, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Part of the reason our school taxes went way up this year.
Message from Paul Feiner
TYPICAL TAXPAYER SEES A $300 TO $600 SCHOOL TAX HIKE DUE TO STAR REDUCTIONS
Most homeowners received their school tax bills in the mail on September 1. Most people probably are not very happy. Many have seen their school tax bills increase by $300 to over $600 a year. The town is not responsible for school taxes. The school districts are independent of the town. We are a tax collector for the schools and guarantee the school districts 100% of the taxes –whether you pay them or not. (If you don’t pay the taxes the town is eventually able to take ownership of your property, however). This tax hike, in my opinion, highlights the need for all governments (including the town of Greenburgh) to cut costs and to seriously look at consolidation. The town recently formed a commission to review the possibility of consolidating the three paid fire districts.
In fairness to the school districts — most school districts in Greenburgh had small tax hikes this year. The reason why the school taxes went up so much is because the NY State Legislature (thanks to the bad economy) reduced STAR and ENHANCED STAR benefits.
In the late 1990s the State started the STAR program–school tax relief program.The STAR program was designed to reduce residential school taxes. The legislature recognized the fact that the size of a homeowner’s school tax has grown by multiples over the years and is, in fact, one of the homeowner’s largest expenses, second only to mortgage interest. In order to provide some relief to New York State’s homeowners, the STAR program was enacted. There are two STAR programs in effect – one for seniors over the age of 65 who are on fixed incomes and those who are under the age of 65.
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The town has compiled a comparison of the impact, by community, of the STAR reductions. If you would like a copy please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
2.
Harvie S | September 23, 2009 at 12:40 pm
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/highest_us_property_taxes_hit_home_vbL07T6LJwf16vyW3ZY68N
This article states that the median cumulative taxes in Westchester County are the nation’s highest at $8890.00. In HOH most folks pay two and three times this amount. Some property owners pay even more. The great percentage of taxes in HOH are currently school taxes.