As a former student of the Glen Cove Public School system, I am appalled that the community would so neglect its future by leaving the schools to run on austerity for so long. It is staggering, indicative of the most gross form of naïveté, and shameful.

GC schools gave me a tremendous foundation, because of which I was able to attend a good university and to travel, live and learn in places like Norwich, England and (for the last two years) Brisbane, Australia. I am a proud member of the global community, but I am not blind to the plight of those who got me there: my teachers. Without the invaluable teachers at the GC schools, none of my most treasured experiences would have been possible. Yet now, Glen Cove is struggling to attract this brand of teachers. Who would want to come and work in a community that can't offer comparable salaries and working conditions; a community which doesn't support either its teachers or its students? Who can blame the many students moving to other schools, the families moving out of Glen Cove, and the teachers leaving for good? It is no wonder, with this drain of students, teachers, and community support that GC schools have difficulty competing against area, state and nationwide standards.

I have read arguments in the local papers that say "vote no" because of tax increases. Can anyone be so grossly negligent to the future of his community and country? Can we be so naïve as to think that taxes will remain unchanged. Let's face it, taxes are going to rise regardless. They always have and they always will, and voting against a school budget is not going to change that. As was said by others, the school budget is not a referendum; voting against a school budget is not the way to send a message against taxes. Must the children of Glen Cove suffer for our stinginess? If we are not willing to spend money on our best hope for a good future, what does that make us if not shamefully miserly? As one who has traveled a great deal, I have never encountered a community that would so endanger the welfare of its children for the sake of a few dollars per year. I am struggling to keep my head above water financially, yet I would gladly pay twice the proposed increase if it meant safeguarding children's education. Besides, if the schools are good then they attract families, which in turn raise more revenue and helps Glen Cove. That is the only true way to reduce taxes.

There are those who are striving to improve the situation, both for the community and for the students we should be treasuring and supporting. Those like Fred Moore, who is currently running for the school board and with whom I have had the honor and the pleasure to work (and in whom I see a motivated, supportive and above all caring gentleman) are willing to rise up and do something about the situation.

Please, give them a chance to help not only the students who attend GC schools both now and in the future, but to help Glen Cove as a whole. Give the students the same opportunities that have brought me and countless others so far, so they can one day look back with such fondness on the teachers, schools, and the community that helped them succeed. As every vote truly counts, I urge you to vote yes on the May 17 school budget vote.

Emma Lewis