While listening to the livestream of the election results my audio happened to cut out seconds before the outcome was announced, then back a moment later to clapping/applause. I could only assume that meant the budget had passed. I listened to the results of the board elections and Propositions 2 and 3 and took to social media to share the news.
Moments later I would find out that the budget vote was “No.”
I had to rewatch the Journal’s video to believe what I was hearing. Who in this group of school district advocates, candidates, supporters and allies would be celebrating a “no” vote?
On social media, several mentions of the budget not passing were met with laughing emojis.
Seriously, what is funny about that?
I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who would vote down this budget: Schools are closing, indeed there's cash in reserves, and it is possible that state aid will be increased.
Looking at the numbers, it’s not so simple. Salary savings are instantly eaten up by the rising costs of benefits and retirement contributions. Material prices are rising, as is the cost of our debt service, and above all of this we have $86M in planned capital improvements, roofs, HVAC, handicap accessibility upgrades, that will need to be performed soon.
How will we pay for these tomorrow by depleting our reserves today?
The Covid-19 contingency proposed this year seems like such an intuitive move in such uncertain times. Set the money aside; if it's needed, we can ensure the continuity of our children’s educations, and if not, it will begin to fund some of these long overdue projects, a small price to pay for stability.
Five years ago, the can was kicked down the road. Funds were needed, and a bond was issued for half of what was required. No surprise we are here again. The difference today is the district is now looking at reducing long-term costs. We are finally talking about establishing funds to pay for these projects in perpetuity. We are strengthening our financial health by building up reserves with minimal cost to taxpayers.
If we don’t do this now, we are going to run out of road.
I get that people are frustrated and we have the right to be angry. Schools are closing, fifth graders are going to middle school and our children’s lives are one step farther from normal. I too spoke at meetings and sent numerous emails, suggesting we press pause on the closures this year. I believe our voices were heard, but it was simply not a viable option. I’m not happy about it either.
When there’s a feeling of hopelessness, we exercise what power we have, and this vote may have been just that. What are we gaining though and what do we lose in the end with a message like this? The removal of the Covid contingency could get us the $0 increase some are calling for, but may deplete our reserves and certainly puts us no closer to getting us on the path of long-term sustainability. It unfortunately won’t reopen these schools, either.
As a taxpayer and parent, I will continue to support this budget, and hope we can all find some common ground. I cannot, however, support a plan that depletes our reserves with so much uncertainty in the future.
Regardless of your stance on the budget, the “no” vote is not a laughing matter.
This district is hurting financially and emotionally.
Jeffrey Moses, Northport
