TEACHERLINE
A PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED TEACHERS OF NORTHPORT
VOLUME 13, NUMBER 2 MAY 5, 2010
Dear NYSUT Member,
As you are well-aware, taxpayers throughout New York State will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 18th to vote on both school budgets and the election of Board of Education Trustees. While we are admittedly in difficult economic times, the likes of which have not been seen in recent history, we must not forget the importance of maintaining quality education. As educators, we know that education cuts do not heal! The Northport-East Northport School Board is proposing a 2010-2011 budget which carries a tax rate increase of2.18%, one of the lowest among surrounding area districts.
Efforts by the Board of Education to present a budget which will be acceptable to the community have resulted in cuts to program as well as teacher and teaching assistant lay-offs. Throughout the process, the Board has been reluctant to explore other avenues by which the budget may have been reduced, such as delaying costly technology upgrades for one to two years or utilizing a portion of their fully-funded reserves, as has occurred in neighboring districts. These alternatives may have averted the need for reductions to both staff and program.
While the UTN has taken great exception to this process, and remains disappointed that cuts to program and positions are required, we are also fully aware that those cuts almost certainly will become deeper and more damaging should the budget be defeated. We therefore ask that you make your voice heard on May 18th and vote YES for what is in the best interest of the children of this great community in which we live and work.
In solidarity,
Antoinette L. Blanck – President
Bryan Krahel – Political Education Chairperson
CLIP AND SAVE
VOTING INFORMATION
DATE OF VOTE: TUESDAY,MAY 18TH
TIME OF VOTE: 6:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M.
POLLING PLACES: FIFTH AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DICKINSON AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LAUREL AVENUE SCHOOL
VOTER QUALIFICATIONS:
IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED VOTER, OR IF YOU REGISTER BY MAY 13TH, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
CONTACT BETH NYSTROM, DISTRICT CLERK, AT 262-6608 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAY ALSO REGISTER AT ANY DISTRICT SCHOOL.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THE DISTRICT CLERK’S OFFICE WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MAY 11TH.
VOTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP WITH FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY!
VOTE TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SCHOOLS!
BINGER FORTUNA MCCUE RAPIEJKO