Dear Editor,
In his most recent missive to the editor, Mr. Chartrand berates the OACSD school board for passing the budget without a single question as to how the increase will be spent. He must have slept through Dr. Russell’s pre-budget outlook on Dec. 18 and also the formal budget presentation of March 26 which outlined where the changes are and compared the proposed budget for next year to this year’s budget.
I know he was at the March 26 meeting because he was one of the folks that commented on it, along with several students and other community members. This was reported/posted on Facebook on April 1 by OA Schools.
We are also not privy to all the communications between the board and Dr. Russell because board members are free to ask questions of Dr. Russell individually in person, via e-mail, or by phone call at any time. Their interaction is not limited to just board meetings. So neither Mr. Chartrand nor I can state with any certainty whatsoever that no one asked any questions about the budget.
Prior to the budget presentation, Dr. Russell and the board held two information-gathering sessions (Jan. 15 and Feb. 25) to get input from community members. In addition, community members and students took advantage of the public comment time at board meetings to express concerns and desires about the upcoming budget. And informally the board receives information from the public in other ways. I have sent notes to them. I would wager that others have also, and may have communicated with them in other ways. As community members they are very much in tune with the community’s feelings.
Joe Chartrand’s inference, now and in the past that the board operates in a vacuum is misplaced as has been demonstrated. While he has consistently expressed his view that the board needs a different approach, he has passed by many an opportunity to be a candidate for a board seat where he would then have an opportunity to officially be a part of the board processes.
The proposed budget is a good first step in stopping the downward spiral the district has been in for several years. The board has been very good at keeping the property tax increases at a minimal level (barely over 1 percent per year) for many years now. The proposed increase is very modest. It benefits all of your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends. I urge a yes vote on May 19.
Sincerely,
Rich Ives
Owego, N.Y.
