Potential Cuts Spark Tension At School Board Meeting

School budget discussions continued on Thursday night, when the Port Washington Board of Education met at Schreiber High School.

A sizable crowd was in attendance, as the public shared concerns, frustrations and disappointment with proposed cuts in response to pressures from Albany in what amounted to nearly a three-hour meeting.

Geoffrey N. Gordon, Superintendent of Port Washington Schools, was noticeably absent.

"Dr. Gordon is sick and could not attend the meeting,"said Board Member Rob Seiden. "The stress and frustration over these potential cuts is affecting him – it's a very scary time for all of us."

The discussion began with community comments, in which Manorhaven Elementary School Librarian, Mary Ellen Noone, spoke passionately about the potential cuts to librarians.  

"We are teachers, and devoted teachers," Noone said. "We know the names of every single student we have. We know their interests and their potential. We are the ultimate literacy coaches, and we can't just be taken away from our students."  

Noone received a standing ovation from the audience.  

Following the first round of community comments, Mary Callahan, assistant superintendent for business, presented a slideshow.  She began with an overview of the last meeting's presentation, and then went into updates.  It was divided into two categories: A and B.  Both categories displayed separate ways to achieve the agreed upon 3 percent budget increase.

Category A listed cuts that could be made outside the classroom, thereby not affecting students. They included cuts in transportation (eight buses), textbooks, capital/technology equipment, suspension of lane movement – that is, a salary upgrade based on completing 15 credits of continuing education – for one year and social security benefits.  With the state mandates of adding one full-time equivalent, or FTE, teacher in special education and .5 of an FTE in in English as a Second Language, these savings would amount to $1.6 million.  If these cuts were made, the balance to achieve the 3 percent budget goal would be $856,480.

Category B included cuts that the audience came out to oppose. The potential cuts included:

• 3.5 librarians - districtwide
• 2.5 PEP teachers - elementary and 6th grade
• 11 teachers - to be determined
• High school sports and clubs
• 1 technology specialist - districtwide.
• 1 middle school computer department teacher
• .2 middle school Latin department teacher

Other cuts in this category included downsizing in funding for high school sports/clubs, technology equipment, textbooks and the Adult Education Program. With the state mandates of additional unemployment costs and more FTE teachers, these potential cuts would save $2,753,150, which will achieve the balance of a 3 percent budget with additional savings of $1,670.

Before the second round of community comments began, the board elaborated on the presentation.  

"We want to clarify that PEP is not in danger of being cut all-together, it is simply being reduced," said School Board President Karen Sloan. "PEP employs 5.6 people –we are talking about 2.5 being in danger of cut."  

Board member Larry Greenstein said: "We have two choices, we either get concessions or fire 19 people.  We need to share the sacrifices."  

School Board Vice President William Hohauser brought up the idea of looking into the future.  "We need to build up reserves and then preserve what we can for the following year," he said. "I don't want to be sitting here next year, going over the same thing, and how its gotten worse."

The moments following the presentation became heated, as one after the other spoke at the podium.  

"If we make thee cuts, we're diminishing the quality of education for our children," Daniel Griffin said. "Look at the value of your house, would you mind paying a few hundred dollars more in taxes to save the education for our children?"  

Christine Vasilev of the Port Washington Teachers Assocation said: "You should be talking about the teachers that have been thinking with every creative part of their being about how they can save money to prevent these cuts, not bullying and threatening us."  

"You talk about how New York State is to blame, and it is, but you [the board] are to blame as well," said Frank Russo. "Don't take away librarians, people who provide children with a terrific education.  It should be a merit-based system, the teachers who do the least get fired."

The board acknowledged the community members with understanding and equal compassion.  

"We are by no means bullying, demeaning or finger pointing," Sloan said. "We don't want these cuts as much as you do, however we can't roll over our budget and keep everything in it."

Before the meeting concluded, Robert Seiden said "I think what we heard tonight is the frustration and despondency from the community, and we share it with you."

The board will continue discussions on the budget next month.  On Thursday, there will be a rally at Hofstra University titled: "Rally For Public Education."  It will be at 6 pm.

Port Washington board members plan to attend, and encouraged the community to attend as well.

This article was updated to reflect the correct proposed cut – a .2 middle school Latin department teacher.