New Castle Citizens for Responsible Education: Vote 'No' on School Budget

New Castle Citizens for Responsible Education (NCCRE) a fiscally conservative watchdog group that seeks to rein in Chappaqua school district taxes, is calling on residents to vote "no" on the proposed 2011-12 budget.

In a letter posted Sunday on its website, NCCRE wants members of the community to vote against the budget as a message to elected officials.

"A NO VOTE on May 17 will send a clear message to the school board, administrators and Albany legislators," the group states, regarding what it sees as fiscal threats to the district and factors driving higher taxes and spending.

In urging a "no" vote, several reasons are given, including:

• A small difference between the proposed budget of roughly $111.4 million and a contigency budget that is just $132,000 lower, which could go into effect if the the budget is rejected and the school board opts not to hold a second budget vote.
• "Real budget" and "real tax" increases that are higher when $4.25 million in reserves is not factored in. NCCRE had to lower a property tax increase, and it takes the position that since reserves come from previously unspent tax dollars in prior in years, that they should be returned to the taxpayers. Leading up to the school board's April adoption of a budget to send to the voters for May 17, to this argument, although they chose a lower amount. School board President Janet Benton, while also going along with the amount, sounded a cautious note about using too much in light of the proposed annual property tax cap from the state. In general, district administrators have warned against using too much in reserves, preferring a process of "smoothing" out tax increases from year to year, and having sufficient funds for emergencies. However, NCCRE believes that its proposal would not present a problem in this area.
• Rising salaries from staff and criticism of the district for not being more aggressive to changing the terms of the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers' existing contract . That deal saved more than $1 million but called for lower-than-expected salary increases and a one-year extension of the contract.
• While the school board has cited mandates imposed by New York state, such as pension contributions and tenure, NCCRE criticizes the board for not being outspoken enough and active enough in opposing them.

A copy of the group's full letter was sent to Patch by NCCRE and is attached as a PDF. It can be found here on the group's website.